University of Maine
UMass Lowell
Koizar Drops Career-High 32 in 73-46 Drubbing of UMass Lowell
2/11/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
LOWELL, Mass. -- Sigi Koizar posted a career-high 32 points to lead the University of Maine women's basketball team in a 73-46 victory at UMass Lowell. Maine, which won its eight-straight, has now recorded 20 wins in back-to-back years for the first time since 2003-04, 2004-05.
Defense was once again the key for the Black Bears, who held their 12th opponent of the year under 50 points. Maine forced a season-high 29 turnovers in the win and took care of the ball on its offensive end, matching a season-low with just eight turnovers of its own. The Black Bears outscored UMass Lowell 28-4 in points off turnovers.
Koizar finished the game 13-for-20 from the floor, hitting 5-of-7 three-point field goals, while adding team-highs of five rebounds and five assists. Sophie Weckstrom (11) and Mikaela Gustafsson (10) joined Koizar in double-figures. Offensively, Maine assisted on 15 of its 31 makes, shooting 47.7 percent from the floor while posting a 7-for-15 mark from 3-point range.
Maine, which now has not trailed in over 80 minutes of game action, again came out hot, staging an 11-0 run on five-straight from Koizar, over the opening 4:33 in the first quarter.
UMass Lowell regrouped early, ending the quarter with a 9-2 run to close the gap to four after one.
An early 3-pointer from the River Hawks to open the second quarter cut the Maine lead all the way down to one point.
Koizar took over, staging an 8-2 run on her own to elevate the Maine lead back to seven. The Black Bears lead returned to double-figures on one of Weckstrom's three triples with 2:56 to play in the half. Maine carried its 11 point edge into the break.
The Black Bears opened with four points in the second, pushing the lead out to 15.
The game quickly got out of hand as Maine put together a 7-0 run in just 1:03 on back-to-back layups by Koizar before Weckstrom knocked down another three, extending Maine's lead to 21.
UMass Lowell was able to claw its way back to within 15 early in the fourth. However, Maine put the game away following a 14-3 run. A 3-pointer by Weckstrom with 1:49 to play gave the Black Bears a 27 point edge; their largest of the game.
Maine would cruise to a 73-46 victory, moving to 11-1 in America East action.
The Black Bears are back in action on Sunday, Feb. 14 when they host Albany on ESPN3 at 1 p.m. in a battle for first place. Fans who purchase their tickets in advance may receive a 2-for-1 deal. Tickest are available at TicketMaster.com or by phone at 1-800-653-8000.
-UMaine-
