Orono, Maine -- The University of Maine women's basketball team returns to the Cross Insurance Center, where it has won four in a row, to host UMass Lowell on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The Black Bears enter play a perfect 9-0 all-time against the River Hawks.
 

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A LOOK AT THE BLACK BEARS:
Maine was unable to extend its win streak to nine games after suffering a 76-68 loss at Stony Brook on Sunday afternoon. The Black Bears struggled to overcome their 17 turnovers in the defeat and were outscored 37-20 in the paint in their second conference road loss of the season. Blanca Millan, who has now scored in double-figures in each of Maine's last 25 games, led the Black Bears, scoring 15 of her 21 points in the second half. Dor Saar, who was named America East Rookie of the Week on Monday, chipped in a career-high 14 points to go along with four assists and career-best four steals while Tanesha Sutton added 13 points and six boards.

Blanca Millan has been productive and consistent all season long for the Black Bears on the offensive end. Millan checks in fourth in the conference at 17.9 points per game and has posted double-figures in each of her last 25 games. The sophomore is coming off her 10th, 20+ point scoring performance and currently ranks fourth in the league in three-point percentage (37.0) and fifth in three-point makes (2.2). Overall from the field, Millan ranks sixth at 45.9-percent. Looking at conference play, Millan ranks second at 18.8 points per game against league foes. Defensively, Millan ranks 12th in the country with 77 total steals and 16th at 2.96 steals per game. Julie Brosseau has posted double-digits in three of her last four and enters play averaging 12.0 points. Brosseau's three-point percentage (37.5) is second among league leaders while her 2.4 three-point makes per game is third best. Sutton, averaging 10.9 points, ranks in the top seven in the conference in rebounding (7.0), assists (3.0) and steals (2.0). Sutton, Maine's rebounding and assists leader, has posted double-digits and at least six rebounds in four of her last five outings. Saar, a three-time and current back-to-back America East Rookie of the Week, is coming off a career-best 14 points outing. Saar has posted double-digits in three of her last five.

Despite a tough outing at Stony Brook, Maine stills leads the league and ranks 19th nationally in defense, holding opponents to 55.7 points per game. Against league opponents, the number shrinks to just 52.9 points. The Black Bears rank 44th nationally in three-point makes per game (8.2), 27th in total makes from beyond the arc (212) and 22nd in three-point attempts (627); all league highs. Maine is just 33 makes away from tying its all-time record (245) and 86 attempts away from the all-time attempts mark (713).

SCOUTING UMASS LOWELL:
The River Hawks snapped their 32-game America East losing streak, dating back to February 8, 2016, with a 65-60 win over Vermont on Sunday afternoon. The win also put an end to UMass Lowell's 15-game losing streak, which dated back to a 66-60 victory over Saint Peter's on Dec. 7. Kayla Gibbs leads the River Hawks into action, ranking ninth in the league in scoring (12.7) and third in rebounding (8.7) to go along with a league-best 61.4-percent mark from the floor. Paula Lopez is adding 8.0 points and team-high 2.4 assists while Brianna Rudolph averages 9.4 points and a team-high 37.3-percent showing from three-point range. The River Hawks are averaging 60.2 points per game but surrender a league-worst 71.4. UMass Lowell's three-point defense is also last in the league (33.4) while it ranks 340 out of 349 teams in the nation in turnovers per game (21.0).
 
A GLIMPSE INTO THE UMASS LOWELL SERIES:
Maine and UMass Lowell will meet for the 10th time. The Black Bears are undefeated against UMass Lowell, entering action with an 9-0 record in the series. Since the River Hawks joined the America East in 2013, Maine is 4-0 at home in the series. The Black Bears are averaging 75.5 points per game at home against the River Hawks and hold a +19.8 scoring margin on their home court in the series. In the latest meeting, Maine defeated the River Hawks, 69-51 in Lowell. Millan tallied 18 of her game-high 22 points in the first half to lead the Black Bears while Parise Rossignol scored all 11 of her points in the third quarter.

WINNING WAYS - HOT STARTS
In its 17 wins this season, the Black Bears are holding opponents to just 48.0 points per game, outscoring the opposition by a +21.2 margin in its victories. A key to Maine's winning formula has been getting off to a good start in both the first and third quarters. Maine is outscoring its opponents by a +114 margin in the first quarter (299-185) and a +121 margin (320-199) in the first and third, respectively.

This February, the University of Maine community comes together with the support of the Maine Sports Commission to celebrate the achievements of women and girls in sports. We believe that participation in sports at all ages builds courage, strength, and character and provides women with the confidence and tools to become the leaders of tomorrow. Please join us at our games and celebration events throughout the month. 

To support UMaine Women's Athletics, please visit: our.umaine.edu/fillthesteins

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