ORONO, Maine – Sophomore Blanca Millan recorded 28 points (12-13 FG, 4-4 3pt.) to lead Maine to its first win of the 2017-18 season, downing Harvard 71-56 on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Gym. The game marked the fourth and final game of the Tip-Off Tournament.
Millan's field goal percentage of .923 percent broke the previous school record of .916 percent (11-12) by Katie Whittier against North Carolina A&T on December 29, 2005. Millan went a perfect 7-7 on field goal opportunities in the first half, and made her first nine field goals that she attempted, before missing her lone shot of the game on her first attempt in the fourth quarter. The Santiago de Compostela, Spain-native was named to the Tip-Off All-Tournament team for her performances against Tulane and Harvard this weekend.
Julie Brosseau registered 13 points, while Dor Saar added 11 as the other Black Bears to reach double-figures in scoring.
Tanesha Sutton stuffed the stat sheet with seven points, seven rebounds, and eight assists along with three steals. Sutton only turned the ball over once during a team-high 32 minutes played.
As a team, Maine (1-1) shot a combined 44.4 percent (28-63), including 43.4 percent (13-30) from beyond the three-point line. The Black Bear defense only allowed the Crimson (0-2) to shoot 23.7 percent (14-59), and only let in 18.2 percent (4-22) of shots from from three-point range.
Harvard was paced on the offensive end by Madeline Raster, who registered 10 points. The Crimson were excellent from the charity-stripe, converting 19 of their 23 free-throw attempts.
Harvard took the first lead of the game with two free-throws, as the Crimson would increase their early lead to 7-4. Maine battled to tie the game at 8-8 with 4:42 remaining in the first quarter, and finished the period on a 14-2 run to take a 17-10 lead after 10 minutes.
The second quarter was the highest scoring for both teams, as Maine mustered 25 poinys to Harvard's 23 to take a 42-33 halftime advantage. The Black Bears shot an excellent 10-15 from the field, with 4-6 shots going in from three-point range in the quarter. Harvard countered by shooting 8-17 on field goals, and made all five of their free-throw opportunities.
Maine took control of the game in the third frame, only allowing the Crimson to convert one field goal on 18 attempts, as the Black Bears outscored Harvard 16-7 to take a 58-40 lead into the final quarter. Maine increased its lead to a game-high 28 points in the fourth quarter at 74-46, with 1:52 left in the game, and finished the contest with a 76-51 win over the Crimson.
The Black Bears are idle until Tuesday, when Maine takes on Bryant at the Cross Insurance Center. Game time is slated for 7:00 p.m., with the game being broadcasted live on ESPN 3. For tickets,
click here.
Tip-off All-Tournament Team
JaVonna Layfield - Dayton - MVP
Jayla Scaife - Dayton
Kolby Morgan - Tulane
Blanca Millan - Maine
Madeline Raster - Harvard
-UMaine-
