Orono, Maine -- The University of Maine women's basketball team (6-6) wraps up its non-conference schedule, and closes a four-game road trip, when it meets Boston College (5-7) on Thursday evening at 7 p.m. at Conte Forum. The contest marks the fourth-straight season in which the two teams have met and will be the second-straight Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) opponent for the Black Bears (at Duke).
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A LOOK AT THE BLACK BEARS:
The Black Bears enter play at Boston College after playing back-to-back contests against Top-15 ranked teams (at No 5/3 Mississippi State and at No. 14/15 Duke). Most recently, the Black Bears dropped a 69-39 decision at Duke behind
Blanca Millan's 16 point effort. The scoring total marked Millan's 11th consecutive double-digit performance.
Tanesha Sutton, Maine's leading rebounder on the year, added nine points, seven boards and five steals while
Fanny Wadling chipped in six points and a career-best 13 rebounds. Maine, who currently boasts the 13th toughest schedule in all of NCAA women's basketball, looks to finish above .500 in non-conference play for the second time in the last three seasons.
Millan continues to lead the way for the Maine offense, ranking fourth among America East leaders at 16.8 points per game. Millan, who hit four three-point field goals at Duke and ranks second in America East with a 38.6% from outside, also checks in fourth in the league in 3-point FGs per game (2.3) while her 81 total field goals rank her inside the top 50 in the nation (49). The sophomore guard has been equally as impressive on the defensive end where she leads the America East in steals per game (3.0) while ranking 21st in the nation in total steals (36).
Julie Brosseau adds to Maine's 3-point threat. Brosseau, averaging 11.5 points per game, ranks fifth in the league in 3-point makes per game (2.1) while producing a 30.8% mark from beyond the arc.
Tanesha Sutton does a little bit of everything for the Black Bears. Sutton, averaging 10.8 points, has pulled down six or more boards in seven of her last eight outings and ranks fifth in the America East at 7.2 rebounds per game. Sutton is also Maine's leader in assists at 3.2 per outing and ranks fourth in the league at 2.2 steals per game.
As a team, Maine ranks fourth in the America East in both scoring (66.2) and defense (60.0). A large part of Maine's offense comes from beyond the 3-point arc. Maine ranks 34th in the country in 3-point makes (100), 17th in attempts (325) and 41st in three point field goals made per game (8.3); leading the America East in each of the three categories. Maine has been effective in its offensive execution which has led to a league-leading 15.7 assists per game. Defensively, Maine ranks third in the league with 17.9 turnovers forced, averaing 9.4 steals per game.
SCOUTING BOSTON COLLEGE:
The Eagles enter play 2-2 in their last four after suffering a most recent 63-55 setback at Providence. Milan Bolden-Morris led the way with 16 points to help her earn the ACC Rookie of the Week honor. Prior to the loss at Providence, the Eagles defeated America East pre-season favorite New Hampshire, 64-55. The Eagles are averaging 61.9 points per game while giving up 63.4. Their top five scorers are either freshmen or sophomores.
Boston College, with a 4-2 mark at home this season, is led by freshman Bolden-Morris. The guard, averaging 13.1 points and 5.3 rebounds, is one of the top 3-point threats in the ACC. Bolden-Morris ranks sixth in the conference in 3-point makes (34), fifth in makes per game (2.8) and eighth in percentage (37.4). Georgia Pineau is a force in the paint for the Eagles. Averaging 11.8 points per game, Pineau fourth in the ACC in rebounding (9.1) and eighth in blocks (1.7).
A GLIMPSE INTO THE BOSTON COLLEGE SERIES:
Maine and Boston College will be meeting for the 10th time in the fourth-time in as many years. The Eagles lead the all-time series, 9-2. Maine's last win came on Nov. 30, 2014, 69-64 victory in the championship of the Black Bears' Thanksgiving Tournament. Boston College has won each of the last two meetings. The Black Bears are 0-7 all-time at Boston College with their second win in the series coming in the season opener on Nov. 28, 1993, a 55-49 victory in Orono. Maine is 9-34 all-time against current members of the ACC. The game at BC will mark Maine's third ACC opponent this season (at Miami, at Duke).
STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE:
The Black Bears, who have played three top-15 ranked teams in December, currently have the 13th toughest schedule, according to the NCAA rankings. The rankings are based on past opposition's winning percentage. Maine's competition has posted a .667 (72-36) winning percentage. Maine's strength of schedule ranks 139 positions ahead of the next closest America East team (Hartford - 152).
OFFENSE FROM BEYOND THE ARC
The Black Bears, who have already set records for team three-point field goals made in a single game (14)Â and three-point attempts in a game (43 at Duke), and matched the individual three-point mark for a game (7 - Brosseau), lead the America East in a number of three-point categories. Maine, which has hit seven or more triples in seven games, leads the league in 3-point makes (100), attempts (325) and makes per game (8.3).
TAKE IT AWAY
Maine has forced 15 or more turnovers in each of its last 10 outings. Over that streak, Maine has forced 20 or more turnovers four times, including a season-high 29 takeaways on Dec. 5 against Maine Maritime Academy. The Black Bears are taking advantage of the mishaps, averaging 19.7 points off turnovers.
MILLAN STEALING AND SCORING
Blanca Millan, who has scored double-digits in each of Maine's last 11 games, has been impressive this season on both sides of the ball. Offensively, Millan ranks fourth in the America East at 16.8 points per game. The sophomore is also second in the league from 3-point range (38.6) and ranks fifth overall from the field (48.2). Defensively, Millan's 36 steals rank her 21st in the nation and tops in the America East.
SECOND OPPORTUNITY
Maine has won the second chance points battle in eight of its first 12 games. The Black Bears are outscoring their opponents 126-108 in second chance points.
Tanesha Sutton leads Maine and ranks fourth in the league with 3.5 offensive boards per game 42 total).
SUTTON ON THE BOARDS
Tanesha Sutton, who ranks fourth in the America East in rebounding (7.2), has been a force on the boards for the Black Bears. Sutton has recorded six or more rebounds in 10 of Maine's first 12 games. Three-times Sutton has pulled down double-digit rebounds and has recorded double-doubles in each of those performances. Offensively, Sutton ranks fourth in the league with 42 of her 86 total rebounds (3.5) coming on the offensive boards.
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