Orono, Maine -- The University of Maine women's basketball team (1-2) will look to snap a two-game losing skid as it faces a competitive field at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Women's Challenge in Columbia, S.C. The Black Bears will open tournament action on Sunday against Saint Peter's (0-1) before taking on #3 South Carolina and Hampton.

COMPLETE GAME NOTES
 

Challenge Schedule

DATE	TEAM	TIME
Nov. 20	vs. Saint Peter's	5:00 PM
Nov. 21	at #3 South Carolina	7:00 PM
Nov. 22	vs. Hampton	5:00 PM

A LOOK AT THE BLACK BEARS:
After starting the season with an impressive 67-47 win over Purdue, Maine has dropped its last two contests, falling against No. 10 Mississippi St. before dropping a 69-62 decision at Harvard. The Black Bears will be searching for their first road win when they take part in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Women's Challenge.

Sigi Koizar hasn't skipped a beat in terms of scoring, picking up right where she left off last year. After tallying double-figures in 32 games a year ago, Koizar has scored double-digits in two of Maine's first three games and enters action fifth in the America East at 15.0 points per game. Koizar has been nearly perfect from the free throw line, leading the league at 92.9-percent (13-14). Maine, which featured eight newcomers on opening day, have received solid production from its newcomers, led by reigning America East Rookie of the Week, Laia Sole (11.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg). Fellow freshman Blanca Millan (9.7) and transfer Tanesha Sutton (9.3 ppg) have added significant minutes early on. Sutton has begun the year as one of Maine's most efficient shooters, ranking seventh in the league in field goal percentage (57.1) and second from 3-point range (75.0). Naira Caceres has been a force down low for the Black Bears, leading the team at 6.3 rebounds per game.

As a team, Maine has been impressive from the free throw stripe. The Black Bears have gone 30-for-37 from the stripe and rank 12th in the nation at 81.1 percent.

SCOUTING SAINT PETER'S:
The Peacocks got off to a rough start, falling in their season-opener by a score of 106-50 in their opener at Penn State. Junior Talah Hughes led the attack, finishing with 17 points while sophomore Janelle Mullen chipped in 10 points. Saint Peter's struggled from the floor, shooting just 29.5 percent, 23.5 percent from 3-point range and 55.6 percent from the free throw line.

Saint Peter's, who returned seven players and added four freshmen, went 4-26 last year, 2-18 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action. Sajanna Bethea, selected to the MAAC preseason second team, returns after averaging 12.1 points and 7.1 rebounds.

Maine is 2-1 all-time against Saint Peter's, last meeting the Peacocks in 1992. Saint Peter's took the most recent meeting by a score of 65-55. Maine won the first two meetings by scores of 52-47 (1991) and 60-57 (1990). This will be the third-time the two teams have met at a neutral site after playing in the Marcal Tournament in 1990 and in Portland in 1991.

SCOUTING #3 SOUTH CAROLINA:
The Gamecocks, ranked No. 3 in the nation, started off the season with a 92-80 win at Ohio State. South Carolina, the second SEC team Maine will face this year (Miss. St.), went 33-2 last year and 16-0 in conference action before advancing to the NCAA Sweet 16, returning two starters and six letterwinners from last season's team. Junior A'ja Wilson (16.1 ppg, 8.7 rpg) and senior center Alaina Coates (12.1 ppg, 10.3 rpg) highlight the Gamecock returners. Junior transfer Kaela Davis posted a game-high 37 points to lead the Gamecocks over No. 7 Ohio State.

Maine, making its first trip to South Carolina, is 0-1 all-time against the Gamecocks, dropping a 56-53 decision at home in the Downeast Classic

SCOUTING HAMPTON:
The Pirates enter classic play searching for their first win of the season after falling at Northwestern, at Iowa and at N.C. State to start the year. Malia Tate-DeFreitas and Monnazjea Finney-Smith lead the way, averaging 14.3 and 14.0 points, respectively.

Hampton went 14-17 a year ago, finishing 11-5 in MEAC league play. Hampton returns four starters and welcomes in seven newcomers.
Maine will be meeting Hampton for the first time in history.

-UMaine-