Orono, Maine -- After opening America East play on the road each of the last two season's, the University of Maine women's basketball team (7-6) returns home after a four-game road trip to host Stony Brook (8-5) in the league opener for both teams on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the Cross Insurance Center box office or can be purchased online here.

The Black Bears are 11-10 in America East openers dating back to the league's start in 1996-97. Maine is 22-2 at the Cross Insurance Center against league opponents over the past three seasons.
 

Tickets

Watch

Listen

Live Stats

Game Notes

A LOOK AT THE BLACK BEARS:
The Black Bears closed out non-conference play with a convincing 61-40 victory at Boston College, holding their fourth opponent of the season under a 30% field goal percentage (29.6). The Black Bears' defense forced 21 turnovers, marking the fifth time this season they've forced 20 or more mishaps. The victory marked Maine's first road win over a Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) opponent since defeating Miami in 2007. Maine wrapped up non-conference play at 7-6, after taking on the 13th toughest schedule in the nation, including three games against Top-15 ranked opponents (at Ohio State, at Mississippi State and at Duke).

Blanca Millan led all scorers in the win at Boston College after pouring in 18 points for her 12th consecutive double-digit scoring performance. Julie Brosseau knocked down four 3-pointers and finished with 14 points while Tanesha Sutton, Maine's leading rebounder, packed the stat line with nine points, 11 boards, six steals and four assists.

Millan consistent play has helped pace the Black Bears through their early season successes. The sophomore guard, who ranks fourth in the America East at 16.9 points per game, has been posted impressive shooting numbers through the first half. Millan ranks second in the league from 3-point range (37.8) and fifth in field goal percentage (48.6). As great as she's been on the offensive end, Millan has been equally as strong on the defensive side. Her 38 steals lead the league and rank 32nd nationally while she also leads the America East with 2.9 steals per game, which has played a hand in Maine's third ranked 18.2 turnovers forced per game. Tanesha Sutton continues to be Maine's 'Swiss Army Knife' helping out the Black Bears in several ways. Sutton, who ranks fourth in the league with 7.5 rebounds per game, is averaging 10.6 points to go along with a team-high 3.2 assists. The redshirt junior, who has posted three double-doubles this season, has bested 10 points and six rebounds on seven occasions. Julie Brosseau has knocked down four or more 3-pointers in four games this season and ranks fourth in the league with 2.2 three-point field goals per game. Overall, Brosseau is ninth in the league at 11.7 points per game.

The Black Bears have held five opponents to 50 or fewer points this season and enter play with the 57th ranked defense, allowing 58.5 points per game. Maine is second in the league with 126 steals and third with 9.8 takeaways per game. Offensively, Maine is averaging 65.8 points per game. The Black Bears rank 28th in the country in 3-point attempts (344), 48th with 103 three-point makes and 47th in three-point field goals per game (8.2); leading America East in each of the three categories.

SCOUTING STONY BROOK:
The Seawolves recently had their three-game win streak snapped when they dropped their final non-conference contest of the season by a 60-53 final at Harvard. Stony Brook, who enters action 3-4 on the road this season, is led by junior Shania Johnson who is sixth in the league averaging 13.4 points and second in America East at 4.9 assists per game. Johnson is aided by Jerell Matthews who is adding 12.7 points. Cheyenne Clark checks in at 8.2 points and is the top rebounder in America East, averaging 9.9 per game. Stony Brook boasts the league's top defense, allowing just 55.2 points per game and are tops in the America East in 3-point defense (26.3%). The Seawolves have limited opponents on the boards this season, allowing a league-low 32.5 rebounds per game and lead the league with a +6.7 rebound margin.

A GLIMPSE INTO THE STONY BROOK SERIES:
Maine and Stony Brook have been quite evenly matched over their 17 year competition history. Dating back to the first meeting between the two teams in 2001, Maine holds a slim 19-18 advantage in the all-time series. The two teams split last seasons two meetings, each winning their respective home game. The Black Bears captured the most recent contest, a 78-71 overtime decision on Feb. 12. Maine has won six of the last seven meetings and carry a three-game home win streak against the Seawolves. Maine is 11-4 at home all-time against Stony Brook.

STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE
The Black Bears, who played three top-15 ranked teams in December, currently have the 22nd toughest schedule, according to the NCAA rankings. The rankings are based on past opposition's winning percentage. Maine's competition has posted a .625 (85-51) winning percentage. Maine's strength of schedule ranks 152 positions ahead of the next closest America East team (Hartford - 174).

HOME SWEET HOME
The Black Bears have been very impressive at home in recent history. Maine is 39-4 on its home court in its last 43 outings, including a 22-2 mark in America East play. The home mark includes a 21-game win streak, including a 13-0 home record in 2015-16. This season, Maine is 4-1 at home and averaging 73.8 points per game with a +23.8 scoring margin. This season, Blanca Millan is averaging 20.4 points while shooting 65.7% at home. As a team, Maine is averaging 73.8 points at home, outscoring the competition by a +23.8 margin.

DEFENSE UNDER 50
Maine has prided itself on defense over the past three seasons. The Black Bears are 42-2 over the past five seasons when holding a team under 50 points. What's even more impressive is that the Black Bears have held 44 opponents under 50 points in four seasons.

BETTER WITH 23 ON THE COURT
Tanesha Sutton is a proven leader on the court for the Black Bears. The Black Bears are +115 with Sutton on the court. Sutton, Maine's leader in rebounding (7.5) and assists (3.2) is a posting a team-high +11.65.

SUTTON ON THE BOARDS
Tanesha Sutton, who ranks fourth in the America East in rebounding (7.5), has been a force on the boards for the Black Bears. Sutton has recorded six or more rebounds in 11 of Maine's first 13 games. Four-times Sutton has pulled down double-digit rebounds, recording double-doubles in three of those performances. Offensively, Sutton ranks third in the league with 47 of her 97 total rebounds (3.6) coming on the offensive boards.

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)  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, ranks second in the league in 3-point makes (106), leads in attempts (344) and ranks second in makes per game (8.2).

TAKE IT AWAY
Maine has forced 15 or more turnovers in each of its last 11 outings. Over that streak, Maine has forced 20 or more turnovers five times, including a season-high 29 takeaways on Dec. 5 against Maine Maritime Academy. The Black Bears are taking advantage of the mishaps, averaging 18.0 points off turnovers.

MILLAN STEALING AND SCORING
Blanca Millan, who has scored double-digits in each of Maine's last 12 games, has been impressive this season on both sides of the ball. Offensively, Millan ranks fourth in the America East at 16.9 points per game. The sophomore is also second in the league from 3-point range (37.8) and ranks fifth overall from the field (48.6). Defensively, Millan's 38 steals rank her 32nd in the nation and tops in the America East.

SECOND OPPORTUNITY
Maine has won the second chance points battle in nine of its first 13 games. The Black Bears are outscoring their opponents 138-112 in second chance points. Tanesha Sutton leads Maine and ranks third in the league with 3.6 offensive boards per game 47 total).

DOUBLE-DOUBLE SUTTON
Tanesha Sutton has recorded three double-doubles in Maine's first 13 games. In those games, Sutton is averaging 14.3 points and 11.0 rebounds.

OPPOSING FIELD GOAL WOES
Four times this season, Maine has limited an opponent to under 30% in overall field goal percentage (28.6 - Tulane; 23.7 - Harvard; 28.8 - Kennesaw St.; 29.6% - Boston College).

-UMaine-