Orono, Maine -- Coming off a 59-56 victory over Hartford on Monday evening, the University of Maine women's basketball team (16-8. 9-2) goes for its eighth straight win as it hosts border rival New Hampshire (15-9, 6-5) on Thursday evening at the Cross Insurance Center. Maine has won two in a row against the Wildcats.
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THROWBACK THURSDAY:
Take a trip back in time with the new UMaine Legacy Collection! The Black Bears will be wearing throwback shooting shirts as part of the University of Maine's new replica merchandise series! Fans can get their own replica shooting shirt from the Legacy Collection at Bear Necessities at the Cross Insurance Center! Vintage hats, sweatshirts, t-shirts and glassware will also be available at Bear Necessities and both in-store and online at the University Bookstore!
A LOOK AT THE BLACK BEARS:
Maine's seventh consecutive victory did not come easy on Monday night against Hartford. The Black Bears trailed by three at the half and had to overcome 28 turnovers to best the Hawks, 59-56. The victory, which marked Maine's sixth straight over Hartford, moved kept Maine tied atop the America East standings with UAlbany at 9-2.
Tanesha Sutton's bucket with 22-seconds remaining gave the Black Bears a one point lead before
Blanca Millan's clutch block helped seal the victory. Millan led Maine in scoring for the 14th consecutive game after netting 19 points, eight rebounds and six steals.
Julie Brosseau hit five three-pointers and finished with 19 points while
Dor Saar chipped in 11.
Millan, who has posted double-digit scoring performance in each of her last 23 games, checks in fourth among league leaders at 17.8 points per game and ranks fourth with a 46.0 mark from the floor and fifth with 2.2 three-point field goals per game. In league action, Millan, the reigning America East Player of the Week, is averaging 18.9 points and 6.1 rebounds. Her 171 total field goals place her 24th in the nation while she is the 54th highest point scorer (428) in the NCAA this season. Defensively, Millan ranks 11th in the nation with 74 steals and 16th at 3.1 steals per game, both tops among America East leaders. Over her last four games, Millan is averaging 4.8 steals per game.
Julie Brosseau is adding 12.0 points and ranks third in the league in three-point field goals per game (2.3) and field goal percentage (36.4).
Tanesha Sutton is adding 10.8 points and ranks fourth in the league in rebounding (6.8), sixth in steals (2.2) and seventh in assists (3.1).
Dor Saar, who was named the America East Rookie of the Week on Monday, has posted double-figures in five of her last eight games and enters averaging 6.5 points in league play.
Maine's defensive efforts continues to climb in the rankings. The Black Bears check in with the 13th best scoring defense in the nation, allowing just 55.3 points per game - an America East best. Maine has held four of its last six opponents to under 50 points and are surrendering just 51.5 points per game to league opponents. The Black Bears' three-point threats have them atop the league in three-point field goals per game (8.0), three-point makes (192) and attempts (585). Maine has hit double-digit totals in three-pointers nine times this season, including three of its last four outings. Maine, averaging 64.2 points per game, has forced 15 or more turnovers in 21 of its last 22 games. The Black Bears are 12-1 this season, 7-0 in league play, when outrebounding their opposition.
SCOUTING NEW HAMPSHIRE:
The Wildcats, who were selected first to start the season in the America East Preseason Coaches Poll, are just 1-4 in their last four league games. However, the lone win during that stretch came against UAlbany (74-68). The Wildcats enter play averaging 59.9 points per game but boast the league's second-ranked defense, allowing just 57.0 per game. New Hampshire leads the league in fewest turnovers (13.9) and rank last among 3-point threats (25.5). Senior forward Carlie Pogue leads the way for the Wildcats, checking sixth in the league in scoring (14.7) and eighth in rebounding (6.1). Olivia Healy is adding 12.4 points and leads UNH in rebounding (6.4). The Wildcats were without point guard Brittni Lai (4.1 assists per game) in the last meeting between the two teams.
A GLIMPSE INTO THE NEW HAMPSHIRE SERIES:
Maine and New Hampshire, the league's top two defensive teams in terms of points allowed per game, will meet for the 89th time. The Black Bears enter play with a 53-35 advantage in the series. Dating back to 1985, Maine is 23-9 at home against the Wildcats. Maine has won two-straight in the series, including a 56-46 decision back on Jan. 24 in Durham. In that win, Maine closed the game on an 11-1 run to put the Wildcats away. The two teams first met in 1920, a 15-13 victory by the Wildcats.
Fanny Wadling posted her first career double-double in the win with 14 points and 10 boards while
Blanca Millan led the Black Bears with 16 points.
Tanesha Sutton added 15 points in the win. Millan has tallied double-digits in all four of her games against New Hampshire.
-UMaine-
