Orono, Maine -- The Black Bears take the nation's fourth longest active win streak (+15) and a 5-0 mark on the road for a two game Border Battle, presented by Buffalo Wild Wings, set at New Hampshire on Jan. 2 and Jan. 3 at 1 p.m. live on ESPN+ and over the airwaves at 96.1 WGUY-FM. Maine has won nine straight against the Wildcats, including three straight in Durham, as the two teams will meet for the 96th and 97th time in history. The Black Bears enter play with a 60-35 mark all-time against New Hampshire.
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OVERVIEW:
A LOOK AT THE BLACK BEARS:
The Black Bears are off to their best start since the 1986-87 season after opening the year 5-0 including a most recent series sweep at Hartford. Maine, which has played each of its first five games on the road, continues road play at New Hampshire. Maine, currently on a 15 game win streak, has been victorious in each of its last 10 road games.
Blanca Millan leads the way for Maine as she enters the weekend ranked first among America East leaders in eight different statistical categories, and second in four more. Millan leads the league in points per game (26.2), rebounding (9.2), and steals (2.8). The fifth-year guard enters the weekend series ranked sixth in the nation in scoring average as she has produced 30+ points in three of Maine's first five games. Millan, who recently captured her 10th America East Player of the Week award and second of the season, moved into seventh on Maine's all-time scoring list at 1,678 career points and stands just 18 points away from moving into sixth on the charts. Millan ranks second in the league in field goal percentage (53.1) and 3-point shooting (34.4).
Dor Saar, who recently moved into third on Maine's all-time assists list with 437, currently leads the America East while ranking 39th nationally at 5.2 assists per game. Saar, who has produced double-digit scoring figures in each of Maine's past two games, leads the America East in 3-point shooting at 45.9 percent. Saar knocked down the 200th triple of her career in Maine's contest at Hartford and enters the weekend just three treys shy of matching Ashley Underwood (210) for second on Maine's all-time 3-point field goals made list. Sophomore
Anne Simon, the reigning America East Rookie of the Year, ranks 15th in the league in scoring at 10.8 points per game after dropping double-figures in each of Maine's first two league games. Simon ranks seventh among league leaders in rebounding (7.0) after registering her first double-double of the season (13 pts/11 rebs) in Maine's conference opener at Hartford.
The Black Bears lead the America East in 10 different statistical categories including points per game 64.6) and scoring defense (52.6) to post a +12.0 scoring margin on the young season. The Black Bears also check in as the league leaders in field shooting percentage (43.8), free throw percentage (71.4) and 3-point field goals made per game (7.4). Through five games, Maine has posted a +3.4 turnover margin, with 17.0 takeaways per game compared to just 13.6 giveaways.
A LOOK AT NEW HAMPSHIRE:
The Wildcats, under first-year head coach and UNH alumna Kelsey Hogan, enter play 1-6 on the year and 1-4 in league play with their lone win coming against NJIT. Since that win, the Wildcats have dropped three-straight including a most recent two-game sweep at the hands of Hartford. Amanda Torres guides the New Hampshire scoring attack at 12.1 points per game to go along with 3.1 rebounds and team-high 3.1 assists. Ivy Gogolin is adding 11.0 points and 5.1 rebounds to round out New Hampshire's double-figure scorers. Helena Delaruelle is averaging 9.3 points and a team-leading 6.9 rebounds.
Through seven games, the Wildcats have struggled to find the bucket as they enter ranked sixth in the America East in scoring (56.3) with a league-low 32.7 percent mark from the floor. Defensively, New Hampshire is allowing a league-high 68.1 points per game. However, the Cats check in as the league leaders at 8.9 steals per game with a 1.71 turnover margin, good for second among America East leaders.
SERIES WITH NEW HAMPSHIRE:
Maine and New Hampshire will meet for the 96th time in their storied history. The Black Bears enter play with a 60-35 advantage in the series and have matched up against UNH the second most times of any of its opponents (Vermont-97). Dating back to 1985, Maine is 21-15 on the road against the Wildcats. Maine has won nine-straight in the series, including a 71-62 in the latest meeting on Feb. 26, 2020 in Durham. In that game,
Dor Saar tallied 17 of her team-high 21 points in the first half while
Anne Simon added a double-double with 20 points and 11 boards. Maine has won in three-straight trips to Durham. The two teams first met in 1920, a 15-13 victory by the Wildcats. Maine has held UNH to 50 points or fewer in each seven of the last eight meetings.
Blanca Millan enters the series averaging 13.8 points in nine career games against the Wildcats. Millan has posted double-digit scoring efforts in eight of her nine games with UNH.
MILLAN EARNS 10th AMERICA EAST PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONOR:
For the second consecutive week, and for the 10th time in her career,
Blanca Millan was been named the America East Player of the Week, as announced by the America East Conference on Wednesday, Dec. 23. Millan continued her impressive start to the season by averaging 29.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.3 steals in three wins for the Black Bears. The fifth-year guard also continued her hot shooting start, finishing the three-game set 55.7 percent from the floor while going 7-of-18 from 3-point range and 14-for-19 from the free throw line. Over the three win stretch for Maine, Millan surpassed former teammate
Sigi Koizar to move into seventh on Maine's all-time scoring list. Her 1,678 career points also moved her into 26th on the America East all-time scoring list. Defensively, Millan swiped five steals in Maine's game two victory at Hartford. The steal total gave her 280 for her career, moving her past head coach
Amy Vachon and into fourth on the all-time steals list at Maine. Her 3-point efforts also pushed her to sole possession of fourth for all-time 3-point field goals made in Maine history with 191. Millan began the award winning week with a 34 point, nine rebound effort at Northeastern before registering 33 points and 10 rebounds in Maine's America East opening win at Hartford. Millan closed her week by tallying 22 points, six rebounds and five steals in Maine's fifth victory of the year, a 52-49 triumph at Hartford.
COLLEGE INSIDER MID-MAJOR TOP 25:
The Black Bears cracked the top-10 in the College Inside Mid-Major Top 25 poll, checking in at No. 9 in the latest poll released on Dec. 29 . Maine is the lone America East team represented in the top-25. The No. 9 ranking is Maine's highest mark since it was ranked No. 12 on Dec. 5, 2018.
15-GAME WIN STREAK:
Maine closed the 2019-20 season riding a 10-game win streak. Currently, Maine's 15-game win streak ranks tied for the fourth (UConn) longest active win streak in the nation. Oregon leads the nation (+25), followed by Princeton (+22) and Marist (+16). Maine is currently riding its fourth longest win streak in school history, and longest since also winning 15-straight in 2003-04. Longer streaks include (+21 - 2002-03); (+19 - 1995-96); (+18 - 1985-86).
MILLAN CLIMBING THE ALL-TIME CHARTS
Blanca Millan, who in 2018-19 became just the fourth player in history to earn both the America East Player and Defensive Player of the Year honors, continues to climb the all-time charts both at Maine and in the America East record books.
Millan currently ranks 7th on Maine's all-time scoring list with 1,678 points. She stands 18 points behind Emily Ellis (1,696) for 6th all-time.
Millan currently ranks 26th on the America East all-time scoring list. Millan enters play at UNH one point behind Danielle Hood (1,679 - Hartford - 2004-08) for 25th; 11 points behind Morgan Hall (1,689 - Vermont, 1999-03) for 24th; 12 points behind Michelle Kurowski (1,690 - UMBC, 2008-12) for 23rd; 32 points behind Jessica Smith (1,710 - Stony Brook, 2003-07) for 22nd; 36 points behind Kate Gordon (1,714 - Hofstra, 1994-98) for 21st; and 74 points behind Hanna Crymble (1,752 - Vermont, 2016-20) for 20th.
Defensively, Millan ranks fourth on Maine's all-time steals list (280), two behind
Liz Wood (282) for third all-time and 20 behind Liz Coffin (300) for second.
Millan currently ranks fourth on Maine's career 3-point list (191), 16 behind
Dor Saar for third all-time and 19 behind Ashley Underwood for second all-time.
On Dec. 4, 2018, Millan became the 7th fastest in Black Bear history to eclipse the 1,000-point mark, and just the third-ever to do it in her third season.
Millan's 15.1 points per game average currently ranks 7th all-time at Maine.
SAAR CLOSING IN ON 1,000 POINTS
Dor Saar currently stands just 53 points away from 1,000 in her career. Should Dor reach the mark, she'd become just the 22nd in Maine women's basketball history to reach the plateau.
SAAR - LEGENDARY FROM DOWNTOWN
Dor Saar currently ranks third on Maine's all-time 3-point field goals made list (207). Saar is just three triples away from tying Ashley Underwood (210) for second all-time in Maine history. In a contest at Hartford, Saar became just the third Black Bear in the history of the program to eclipse the 200 three point field goals made plateau.
600 BOARDS
Fanny Wadling, who missed the entire 2019-20 season due to injury, returned to action on Dec. 20 at Northeastern for the first time since March, 23, 2019. Wadling is looking to become just the 17th Black Bear in history to record 600 career rebounds. Wadling is 76 career rebounds away from 600.
DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE DEFENSE
As impressive as Maine's offense has been through five games in 2020-21 (64.6 ppg), the defense has been equally, if not more, impressive. Maine enters the weekend with the 14th ranked defense in the nation, allowing just 52.6 points per game. Maine has held three of its first five opponents under 50 points.
DOR DISTRIBUTING
Dor Saar is currently the America East active leader in assists (437). Saar has amassed five or more assists 41 times and double-figure assist totals four times in her career. With three assists at Hartford (12/23/20), Saar surpassed Kim Corbitt to move into third on Maine's all-time assists list. Saar now stands just 50 assists behind Cindy Blodgett (487) for second all-time. Saar matched Maine's single-game assists record (14) in her outing with Husson. Saar is Maine's all-time leader with a 1.87 assist to turnover ratio over her time with the Black Bears. Saar stands 121 assists shy of moving into the top-5 on the America East career assists list.
ENERGIZER SAAR
Dor Saar ranked second in the nation in 2019-20 with 1,238:53 minutes played. Saar led the America East and checked in sixth nationally at 38.72 minutes per game. In her career, Saar has produced 40 or more minutes in a single game 38 times, including 21 times last season. From Jan. 5 to March 8, 2020, Saar tallied 40+ minutes in 16-straight outings. Currently, Saar ranks 23rd in the nation in 2020-21 at 38.4 minutes per game.
SIMON SCORING IN LEAGUE PLAY
In 2019-20, America East Rookie of the Year
Anne Simon ranked fifth among America East leaders in conference-only scoring, averaging 15.7 points per game against league competition during the regular season. Simon registered double-digit scoring performances in 13 of Maine's 16 league games, besting 20 points on five occasions. Simon has recorded double-digits in 23 of her last 25 outings. A year ago, Simon led all America East Rookies in scoring (13.0).
CONFERENCE TIDBITS
Over the past four seasons, Maine has gone 42-8 in America East play.
Maine, which has captured two titles in the past five seasons, has earned five consecutive appearances in the America East title game.
Maine has registered double-digit conference win totals in six of its last seven seasons.
AMERICA EAST PRESEASON POLL:
For the third consecutive season, the Black Bears were selected first in the America East Preseason Coaches Poll, as announced by the league on Tuesday, Nov. 10. Maine also received three selections to the America East Preseason All-Conference team with
Maeve Carroll,
Blanca Millan, and
Dor Saar each earning a spot on the squad. The Black Bears received six of the league's 10 first place tallies, positioning them at the top of the league with 78 total votes. Maine, which earned three of the five Preseason All-Conference slots, is the first school since Boston University in 2010-11 to earn three or more selections to the Preseason All-Conference team.
CARROLL'S SEEING DOUBLE:
Last season (2019-20),
Maeve Carroll led all America East players with 11 double-doubles, including 10 against league competition. In league play, Carroll averaged 15.3 points and league-best 9.0 rebounds against league competition. Carroll earned her first-ever all-conference honor in 2019-20 with a spot on the America East second team.
THREE-POINT OFFENSE
In 2019-20, Maine led the America East in 3-point field goals attempted (757), 3-point field goals made (250), 3-point field goals made per game (7.8), and ranked second in the league in 3-point percentage (33.0). Maine ranked 22nd nationally in 3-point attempts, 25th in 3-point field goals made and 41st in 3-point field goals made per game.
WE MUST PROTECT THIS ROCK
Maine ranked 27th in the nation and first among America East leaders in turnovers per game, averaging just 12.7 giveaways per contest in 2019-20. Maine's 1.10 assist to turnover ratio ranked first in the league and 45th overall, thanks in big part to the play of point guard
Dor Saar. Saar is Maine's all-time leader in assist to turnover ratio (1.87). Five times last season Maine finished with single-digit turnover totals in a game. Maine has featured much of the same this season, ranking first in America East and 42nd nationally with 13.6 giveaways per game.
FACTOR OF 60
Over the past seven seasons, Maine is 124-20 when holding its opponent to 60 or fewer points. The Black Bears are 66-10 in the Vachon era when limiting teams to 60 or less. Over the past seven seasons against league competition, Maine is 71-8 when holding America East opponents to 60 points or fewer.
60 OR MORE
On the flip-side, Maine is 127-25 over the past seven seasons when it scorers 60 or more. In league play, Maine has a 75-8 record when scoring 60 or more points.
DECIDED AT THE HALF
Maine is 39-3 when leading at halftime over the past three seasons and 66-9 when taking a lead into the half under Vachon.
FROM DOWNTOWN
The Black Bears have broke the America East record for 3-point field goals made in a season in two of the past three seasons and, in 2019-20, put up the third most made triples (250) in league history. Over the last four years, Maine is 21-7 when it records double-digit 3-point makes in a single game. Maine now holds each of the top four spots for most 3-point field goals made in a season in America East history (273, 256, 250, 245).
RARE OPPORTUNITY
The Black Bears have the opportunity to become just the fifth team in America East history to complete a three-peat of the league championship after earning America East Tournament titles in 2017-18 and 2018-19. Maine earned four-straight titles during the 1994-98 seasons. Maine earned a return to the AE Title game in 2019-20, but was unable to compete in the game at Stony Brook when the game was canceled due to COVID-19.
BLACK BEARS IN THE PROS
Maine currently has six former players competing professionally for their respective teams overseas:
Kira Barra (Saarlouis/Dillingen - Germany);
Christiana Gerostergiou (Dafni Agioy - Greece);
Mikaela Gustafsson (Sodertalje); Isabel Hernandez (La Spezia - Italy);
Sigi Koizar (Flammes - France);
Maddy McVicar (Newcastle E. - United Kingdom); and
Milica Mitrovic (Radivoj Korac - Serbia).
CLASS OF 2021
On Nov. 12, Coach Vachon announced five newcomers to the 2021 signing class: Paula Gallego (6-1 - G - Barcelona, Spain); Sera Hodgson (5-11 - G - Rindge, N.H.); Pénélope Mathieu-Castillo (5-11 - F - Montreal, Que.); Adrianna Smith (5-10 - F - Reston, Va.); Bailey Wilborn (5-8 - G - Wichita, Ks.).
INTERNATIONAL VIBE
As has been the norm over the last few seasons for the Black Bears, Maine features numerous players from around the globe. This season, Maine features players from seven different countries including players from Luxembourg (Simon); Israel (Saar); Spain (Millan, Orois), Finland (Kahelin), Denmark (Bornemann), and Sweden (Wadling).
-UMaine-
