ORONO, Maine -- The University of Maine women's basketball team (5-5) looks for its first three-game win streak of the season when it travels to take on Bryant (4-5) on Saturday at 1 p.m. Maine and Bryant have split each of its six meetings, playing six-straight years dating back to 2010.
GAME COVERAGE:
A LOOK AT THE BLACK BEARS:
Maine goes for its third-straight victory after holding on for a 60-55 win last time out over Dartmouth. The Black Bears, who led by as many as 16, were led by
Sigi Koizar's 15 points and six rebounds and
Laia Sole's 15 points and four rebounds. Maine, which led by 11 at the half, was strong inside with a 34-27 rebounding margin and a 28-12 margin for points in the paint. After going just 10-for-22 from the free throw line against Dartmouth, Maine is now shooting just 65.9% from the line.
Koizar continues to lead the Black Bears as she ranks fourth in the America East at 14.5 points per game. Koizar, who has posted double-digit scoring performance in each of her last five outings, is averaging 17.6 points in her last five. The senior guard, who is just 20 points from 1,400 in her career, is third in the league from the free throw line (87.1%), eighth in steals (1.7) and eighth in 3-point makes (1.8). Koizar enters action just one 3-pointer away from tying former teammate Sophie Weckstrom for fifth all-time in 3-point makes at Maine (150).
Laia Sole is the reigning America East Rookie of the Week, winning the award for the third time this season after averaging 15.5 points in a pair of wins last week. Sole ranks 15th in the league at 10.8 points per game and seventh in field goal percentage (45.9); posting a 50.0% mark or better in five games this season. Sole also leads the Black Bears in assisting (2.7). Fellow freshman
Blanca Millan, coming off a 14-point outing against Dartmouth, is adding 7.8 points and leads Maine with 18 steals, placing her sixth among America East leaders.
Tanesha Sutton, fresh off a career-high 10 rebounds, is averaging 5.7 points and 5.3 rebounds.
Julie Brosseau is Maine's deep-threat, hitting at a 40.5% clip from downtown (15-for-37).
Maine has limited its two of its last four opponents under 50 points and three of the last four under 60, lowering its scoring defense to 59.5 points per game; second best in the America East. Maine has climbed to fourth in the league from the floor (39.1%) but continue to struggle from long-range (57-for-204), attempting the most 3-pointers in the league but hitting on 27.9%.
SCOUTING BRYANT:
The Bulldogs look to snap a two-game losing skid after losing at UMass and Pittsburgh. Bryant will be playing its first home game since Nov. 17 and just the second of the year. The Bulldogs, who are undefeated at home this season, have won just one out of their last six games after starting 3-0.
Bryant's strength is in its rebounding where it ranks 62nd nationally at 42.4 rebounds per game and 35th in the country in rebounding margin (+8.8). Alex Klein paces Bryant's attack, nearly averaging a double-double as she leads the Bulldogs in scoring (16.7 ppg) and rebounding (8.7 rpg). Klein does her damage at the free throw line where she ranks 16th in the nation in attempts (65) and 11th in makes (52); an 80.0% mark. Kierra Palmber leads the NEC in assists (40), averaging a league-best 4.4 per game. Ivory Bailey is adding 12.1 points and is Bryant's leader from 3-point range (30.0%).
A GLIMPSE INTO THE SERIES:
Maine and Bryant will be meeting for the seventh time in history, looking to split a 3-3 tie in the all-time series dating back to the first meeting in 2010. Maine is 1-2 at Bryant with its last win in Smithfield coming back in 2010. Maine also won the most recent meeting, 76-38, a year ago in a game which saw Maine forced 25 Bulldog turnovers, outscoring Bryant 27-2 off turnovers and 38-16 in the paint. Maine was led by Koizar's 18 points in last season's win, shooting 57.9% from the floor after taking a 43-20 lead into the break. Koizar has finished with double-digit scoring efforts in all three of her games against Bryant and enters averaging 16.7 points against the Bulldogs.
-UMaine-
