Box Score Columbia, S.C. -- Senior guard
Sigi Koizar dropped a game-high 25 points but the Black Bears came up short, dropping a 58-49 decision to Hampton in the final game of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Women's Challenge at the Colonial Life Arena on Tuesday evening.
Koizar's 25 points moved her into ninth on Maine's all-time scoring list (1,317), surpassing Stephanie Guidi who finished her Black Bear career with 1,295 points. Koizar finished the contest 10-for-18 from the floor, hitting 3-of-8 from 3-point range, to go along with four rebounds. Koizar has now scored in double-figures 62 times and bested 20 on 21 different occasions.
Anita Kelava added seven points and four rebounds and
Laia Sole chipped in six points and a team-high seven boards.
Maine ended the game 21-for-57 from the floor, despite shooting 6-for-10 in the opening quarter. Hampton outscored Maine 40-22 in the paint for the game and 32-22 overall in the second half from the floor.
The Black Bears came out hot, scoring the first seven points and holding the Pirates scoreless over the opening 4:48 seconds of the game. Buckets from Koizar and
Fanny Wadling lifted Maine to a 13-4 lead late in the first quarter.
Hampton began the second quarter on an 11-3 run, grabbing its first lead of the game, 18-16, with 5:41 left in the half. The Pirates built their lead out to 24-18 before Maine rallied. Back-to-back buckets from Kelava brought Maine back within a pair. Maine tied the game on a jumper from Koizar before three points from Kelava regained the edge for Maine, 27-26, to enter the half.
The third quarter began in seesaw fashion before Hampton took the advantage. The Pirates closed the third quarter on an 11-2 run to carry a 41-33 lead into the fourth.
Maine continued to charge. A 6-0 run keyed on a 3-pointer from Koizar brought the Black Bears back within four with 6:01 to play. However, it would be as close as Maine would get as Hampton scored the next five points, once again distancing itself before locking up a 58-49 decision.
The Black Bears are back in action on Sunday, Nov. 27 at 6 p.m. when they close out the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Women's Challenege in Springfield, Mass. against UT-Chattanooga.
-UMaine-
