Orono, Maine -- The University of Maine women's basketball team goes for its 10th win in its last 11 games when it travels to Vermont, closing out its regular season road slate on Thursday evening at 7 p.m. live on ESPN3. A win would move Maine to 6-2 in America East road action as it continues to hold its ground atop the America East standings (11-3), along with UAlbany, in the final week of the regular season.
 

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A LOOK AT THE BLACK BEARS:
The Black Bears are coming off a bye after playing four games in a 10-game span, going 3-1 over the stretch. Most recently, Maine won its fifth straight home contest with a 70-65 victory over UMass Lowell. In the game, the Black Bears led by as many as 14 but the River Hawks fought back, tying the game early in the third quarter. However, Maine would never trail and was able to hold on for its ninth win in 10 games. For the seventh time this season, Maine forced 20 or more turnovers thanks in part to a sensational nine-steal performance from Blanca Millan. The mark narrowly missed Julie Bradstreet's school-record of 10 steals, set in 1992. Tanesha Sutton led the offense, nearly tallying her fifth double-double of the season with a career-best 19 points and nine rebounds. Millan finished with 14 points while Parise Rossignol chipped in 13, just one shy of her career-high.

Millan continues to set the tone for the Black Bears as she has now recorded double-figures in each of Maine's last 26 games while ranking fourth in the league at 17.7 points per game. Millan, who checks in 16th in rebounding (5.1) and fourth from three-point range (35.8), is the league's leader in steals (3.2). Her nine steals against UMass Lowell were the most by an America East player since 2004. Millan ranks 12th nationally in steals per game and ninth overall with 86 total steals, just 21 shy of matching Bradstreet's UMaine single season record (107). Sutton, who checks in 19th in the league in scoring (11.1), ranks in the top-10 in seven other categories. She is fourth in rebounding (7.0) and eighth in assists (2.8); leading Maine in both, while registering sixth in steals (2.1). Sutton, who does it all for the Black Bears, has registered seven games in which she's tallied double-digits in points, multiple steals and at least five boards. Julie Brosseau is adding 11.8 points and ranks third among league leaders in both three-point percentage (37.0) and three-point makes per game (2.3). Brosseau has hit three or more triples on 12 occasions this season.

The Black Bears continue to set the tone defensively in the America East, leading the league and ranking 25th nationally after allowing just 56.0 points per game. In league only action, Maine is allowing just 53.8 points and have held six opponents to 50 points or less. Offensively, Maine is averaging 64.9 points and leads the league in all three-point categories including percentage (33.4), makes per game (8.0), total makes (216) and attempts (647) - ranking top 50th nationally in all of the above. Maine is just 29 three-point makes away from matching its school-record high of 245 set in 2013-14 and only 66 attempts away from its record of 713.

SCOUTING VERMONT:
The Catamounts enter play on a three-game losing skid after a 91-52 setback at Hartford on Saturday. Prior to the losing streak, Vermont reeled off wins against America East Preseason favorite New Hampshire and defending champions UAlbany. The Catamounts, who are 6-8 at home this season, are led by sophomore Hanna Crymble. Crymble checks in third in the league at 17.8 points per game 10th with 5.8 rebounds per game. Her 54.6 mark from the floor and 89.5 percent showing from the free throw stripe are each second best among league leaders. Senior Sydney Smith is adding double-figures at 11.3 points per game and ranks seventh in the league on the offensive boards (2.3). The Catamounts have struggled to find the hoop, ranking eighth in the league at 58.2 points per game and eighth from the floor (38.5). However, Vermont's 75.5 percent showing from the free throw line is tops in the league and 34th in the nation. Vermont, third in the conference in three-point makes (6.6), rank fourth in the America East on the boards (37.3).
 
A GLIMPSE INTO THE VERMONT SERIES:
Maine will meet its most familiar opponent as it will square off against Vermont for the 92nd time in history. The Black Bears currently hold a 57-34 advantage in the all-time series, having won nine of the last 10 meetings. In its last visit to Vermont a year ago, Maine had its three-game road win streak in the series snapped after dropping a 55-52 decision in Burlington. Since 1985, Maine is 15-14 all-time in Burlington. In an earlier meeting this season, Millan tallied a double-double (23 points/10 rebounds) to help lead the Black Bears to a 64-55 victory. Sutton added 15 points and five boards while Dor Saar chipped in 11 points. Maine turned the ball over just four times in the win while pulling down 35 boards, 19 of which came on the offensive end to help it to a 19-9 second chance point advantage.

PLAY4KAY - FEBRUARY 25:
The University of Maine women's basketball team is hosting its seventh annual Play4Kay Pink Game, a fundraiser to support the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, on Sunday, February 25 when it takes on UAlbany at the Cross Insurance Center.
 

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Kay Yow Cancer Fund

All funds collected online will go directly to support cancer research through the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Over the past six years, UMaine and the generous community of Black Bear fans have joined together to raise over $40,000 towards the cause. Gifts will also be collected at the game on Feb 25. All money raised during the game will go directly to Caring Connections, a cooperative women's health program sponsored by the Bangor Y and Eastern Maine Medical Center. During the game against UAlbany, Maine will once again be donning its pink jerseys.

NATIONAL GIRLS AND WOMEN IN SPORTS CELEBRATION:
On February 25, the University of Maine Athletic Department will be hosting its National Girls and Women in Sports Day celebration at the Cross Insurance Center. Doors will open at 11 a.m. with team photo opportunities beginning on the Cross Insurance Center floor level at 11:15. Beginning at 11:45, UMaine Athletics will host an Interactive Sports Fair day in which several local and UMaine teams and athletic vendors will be on hand offering the opportunity for fans to try their hand in several sports fields. Following the fair, fans are encouraged to stick around and cheer on the University of Maine Women's Basketball team when it hosts UAlbany at 1 p.m. For more information, or to get involved, please contact Richard Barron at richard.barron@maine.edu.

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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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