Orono, Maine -- The University of Maine women's basketball team closes out its four-game road trip with a showdown at No. 8 Ohio State on Sunday, Dec. 3 at 1 p.m. The Black Bears will be making their second-ever trip to Columbus, and first since 1995, where they will look to even the all-time series with Ohio State at 1-1.
 

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A LOOK AT THE BLACK BEARS:
UMaine is coming off a tough, 65-64 overtime loss at Toledo. The Black Bears, who never trailed in regulation at Toledo, exploded for 28 first quarter points led by Julie Brosseau who tallied 14 of her career-high 26 points in the first period. Maine, which led by as many as 15, fell to 1-1 this season in overtime games after previously defeating Bryant in extra time on Nov. 14. Joining Brosseau in double-digits at Toledo were Blanca Millan (16) and Tanesha Sutton (12). For Millan, it was her sixth-straight game recording double-figures. Kirsten Johnson added a career-high 11 rebounds in the defeat.

The Black Bears, who have prided their defensive effort over the past three seasons, have opened the year with impressive offensive efforts. A year after averaging 59.9 points per game, Maine, ranks second in the America East at 69.9 points per game while shooting 42.2-percent from the floor in the early going. After hitting six triples at Toledo, the Black Bears now rank third in the America East as they average 7.7 makes from beyond the arc per game.

Rebounding has proven to be a strong suit for the Black Bears in their first seven outings. Maine, which tallied a season-high 49 boards at Toledo, are averaging 40.7 rebounds per game and are outrebounding the competition by  a +5.6 margin. The Black Bears have been hard to the offensive glass (94), led by Tanesha Sutton's 28 which rank her second in the league. A lot of Maine's offense runs through its 3-point shooting. The Black Bears are 34th in the nation in 3-point attempts (175) and 51st in 3-point makes (54); a 30.9% showing. Maine has attempted 21 or more 3-pointers in each of its games this season.

As impressive as the offense has been, the defensive effort is still true to past years where Maine currently ranks 31st in the nation allowing just 55.0 points to its opponents over the opening seven contests. Part of the early success can be contributed to Maine's ability to take care of the ball, and also distribute it. The Black Bears check in 24th nationally and second in the league with just 13.0 turnovers per game. Maine ranks 25th in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.34), 37th in assists per game (17.4) and 34th in total assists (122); leading the America East in the last two categories.

Individually, Blanca Millan has shined for the Black Bears. Millan, who has recorded double-digit scoring performances in each of Maine's last six outings, including three 20+ showings, ranks third in the America East at 18.0 points per game. In just her second season, Millan is closing in on 500 points for her career (418). On defense, Millan ranks 14th nationally with 23 steals and is the America East leader in both total steals and steals per game (3.3). The sophomore guard has been efficiently impressive as she boasts a 54.2% mark from the floor and leads the America East with 52 field goals. Julie Brosseau, the reigning America East Co-Player of the Week, is 12.0 points and has scored 20 or more in two of her last three outings. At Toledo, Brosseau tallied a career-best 26 points and is now averaging 20.7 points in her last three outings to go along with 5.7 rebounds over the stretch. Tanesha Sutton, coming off her second-straight 12 point performance, ranks third in the league and leads Maine in rebounding at 7.6 per game. The gritty guard, averaging 10.0 points per game, has pulled down 28 of her 53 rebounds on the offensive end.

SCOUTING OHIO STATE:
The Buckeyes, led by the nation's top scorer in Kelsey Mitchell (27.3), recently had their six-game win streak snapped with a 69-60 defeat at No. 14 Duke on Thursday evening. Ohio State, which have played four of their first nine games against teams ranked in the top 14, are 4-1 at home this season. The lone loss was an overtime defeat by the hands of No. 9 Louisville back on Nov. 12. The Buckeyes feature the nation's number six ranked scoring offense, averaging 90.2 points per game. However, they are surrendering 70.7 points. Ohio State ranks 12th in the nation with 10.1 makes from 3-point range per game and also get to the free throw line at a high rate, ranking fourth in the nation with 135 free throw makes and 13th nationally with 181 attempts. Rebounding is a key for the Buckeyes, who are currently second in the NCAA with 408 boards, ranking 24th nationally at 45.3 per game. Individually, Mitchell, the two-time B1G Player of the Year and three-time All-American, is just 19 points away from OSU's career scoring record (2,818). OSU features four scorers averaging double-digits (Mitchell 27.3; Linnae Harper 15.6; Stephanie Mavunga 14.8; Sierra Calhoun 10.2).

A GLIMPSE INTO THE OHIO STATE SERIES:
Maine and Ohio State will be meeting for just the second time in history. The Buckeyes lead the all-time series 1-0 after a 93-64 victory on Nov. 17, 1995 at the Preseason WNIT held in Columbus. The Black Bears are 5-12 all-time against the Big Ten, including a 67-47 victory a year ago against Purdue.

TAKING CARE OF THE BALL AND DISHING IT OUT
In the early going, the Black Bears have been able to take care of the ball and distribute it at a high level. Maine ranks 37th in the NCAA and tops in America East in assists per game (17.4) while checking in 24th nationally with only 13.0 turnovers per game. The stats lead to an assist/turnover ratio of 1.34 - good for 26th in the nation.

SECOND OPPORTUNITY
Maine has won the second chance points battle in six of its first seven games. The Black Bears are outscoring their opponents 83-52 in second chance points. Tanesha Sutton leads Maine and ranks second in the America East with 28 offensive boards.

ONE AND DONE
The Black Bears have limited opponents to very few possessions this season thanks to a great effort on the defensive boards (27.3 per game) and also are forcing 17.0 turnovers per game.

-UMaine-