Orono, Maine -- The Black Bears (10-1, 7-1) continue road play as they travel to meet Binghamton (4-8, 4-6) on Saturday, Jan. 23, and Sunday, Jan. 24, with both games slated for a 2 p.m. start. Maine, which has played nine of its 11 games this season on the road entering the weekend, carries a five-game win streak into Binghamton. Both games will be broadcast live on
ESPN+ and on the radio at 96.1 WGUY-FM locally and nationally at
GoBlackBears.com.
The Black Bears boast the nation's 12th ranked scoring defense, allowing just 53.0 points per game, while Binghamton's offense checks in eighth among America East leaders at 55.2 - 306th in the country.
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LAST TIME OUT:
Albany, N.Y. --
Blanca Millan's game-high 27 points helped guide Maine to its fifth-straight win as the Black Bears completed the weekend sweep at UAlbany, 63-47. The win, Maine's eighth in a row against the Great Danes, moved Maine to 10-1 on the season and 7-1 in America East play.
Dor Saar knocked down a trio of three-pointers in the win, including the 220th of her career to break Cindy Blodgett's program record for three-point field goals made. Saar, who finished with nine points and five assists, stands just two points shy of 1,000 for her career. Millan added six rebounds and three steals to her impressive stat line as she has now scored in double-figures in all 11 of Maine's games this season.
The Black Bears, who never trailed in the contest, finished 10-of-22 from downtown and 26-of-55 overall from the floor. Defensively Maine forced 19 turnovers with 10 steals and, for the fourth time this season, held its opponent under 50 points.
A LOOK AT THE BLACK BEARS:
The Black Bears carry the top scoring offense in the America East (66.9 ppg) and the league's second-best defense (53.0) into Binghamton for this weekend's contest.
Blanca Millan, the 12-time America East Player of the Week including four wins this year and each of the past two week's awards, leads the league in seven statistical categories while ranking 16th in the nation at 22.7 points per game. Millan, who has tallied double-digits in each of Maine's first 11 games, enter play just seven points shy of tying Heather Ernest for fifth on Maine's all-time scoring list at 1,804 career points. Defensively, Millan is atop the America East leader board at 2.45 and ranks in the top 65 among the nation in both steals and steals per game. Millan, who has tallied four double-doubles on the year to lead the America East, checks in third among league leaders in rebounding (8.2).
Dor Saar, who recently became Maine's all-time leader for three-pointers made in a career (220), enters the weekend just two points shy of reaching 1,000 points for her career. Saar, the America East active leader in career assists (473) is closing in on becoming the only Black Bear in history to eclipse 1,000 points and 500 assists for her career. Saar is currently the America East leader in assists per game (5.6), total assists (62), and assist to turnover ratio (2.58); ranking among the top 50 nation-wide in all three categories. Saar is also the league's best 3-point threat with league-high marks of 3-point field goals made per game (2.73) and 3-point field goal percentage (43.5).
Anne Simon, the reigning America East Rookie of the Year, has no signs of a sophomore slump as she ranks among he top-15 in America East in scoring (5th-12.4); rebounding (14th-5.6); assists (15th-2.3); and steals (7th-1.5). Simon has registered double-digit scoring outings in each of her last two games, three of her last four.
As a group, Maine has been incredible impressive in both taking the ball away, and protecting it. Maine ranks third in the America East in turnovers forced (18.3), first in steals per game (8.4), and 13th in the country at just 12.0 turnovers per game. In all, Maine's +6.27 turnover margin is tops in the America East and 17th in the country.
A LOOK AT BINGHAMTON:
The Bearcats are 2-2 in their last four after most recently earning a split over UMass Lowell, picking up a 67-63 victory in Sunday's series finale. Denai Bowman leads the scoring offense for Binghamton, averaging 13.3 points and a team-high 2.6 assists to rank third and eighth, respectively, among conference leaders in the two categories. Kaylee Wasco rounds out Binghamton's double-figure scorers at 10.5 points per game while leading the Bearcats in rebounding at 5.3. Binghamton checks in eighth among America East leaders in scoring (55.2) and fifth in scoring defense (59.3). Binghamton ranks second in America East in blocks per game (3.6) and second in three-point defense, holding opponents to just 25.5 percent from downtown.
SERIES WITH BINGHAMTON:
Maine and Binghamton will meet for the 41st time with the Black Bears holding a 25-15 advantage. Maine, which has won 14 of the last 17 meetings, will be looking for its second-straight win over Binghamton after handing the Bearcats a 75-65 decision a year ago in Bangor. The two teams split the season series a year ago, with Binghamton scoring a 73-63 win at the Events Center.
Anne Simon had an impressive debut against Binghamton, scoring a career-high 28 points at Binghamton before pouring in 23 at home.
Blanca Millan is averaging 17.9 points per game in seven career games against Binghamton. Maine and Binghamton first met in 2001, a 63-62 overtime victory by the Black Bears. The two teams are locked in an 11-11 tie in the all-time series when the games are played in Binghamton.
MILLAN NAMED TO MIDSEASON WATCHLIST FOR MID-MAJOR PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD:
University of Maine guard
Blanca Millan has been named to the midseason watch list for the 2021 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award, presented by Her Hoop Stats, as announced on Jan. 6, 2021. To be eligible for the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award, players must compete in one of the 26 conferences deemed to be "mid-major". The following conferences are considered high-major for the purposes of this award, and thus ineligible: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Pac-12, and SEC. The 10 semifinalists will be announced in February, with five finalists being announced in early March. The winner will be announced in late March. The list is fluid and players may play their way on or off the list over the course of the season.
COLLEGE INSIDER MID-MAJOR TOP 25:
The Black Bears check in at No. 11 in the latest poll released on Jan. 13, moving up one spot from last week's No. 12 ranking. Maine is the lone America East team represented in the top-25. In an earlier poll this season, Maine was ranked No. 9, its highest mark since it was ranked No. 12 on Dec. 5, 2018.
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 6th on Maine's all-time scoring list with 1,797 points. She stands seven points behind Heather Ernest (1,804) for 5th all-time.
Millan currently ranks 17th on the America East all-time scoring list. Millan enters play this weekend five points behind Chantell Alford (1,802 - Boston U. 2009-13) for 16th; seven points behind Heather Ernest (1,804 - Maine 2000-04) for 15th; and 34 points behind Mykeema Ford (1,831 - Stony Brook 2003-07) for 14th; and 35 points behind Joann McKay (1,833 - Vermont 1984-88) for 13th.
Defensively, Millan ranks third on Maine's all-time steals list (293), seven behind Liz Coffin (300) for second.
Millan currently ranks fourth on Maine's career 3-point list (202), eight behind Ashley Underwood for third 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 15.3 points per game average currently ranks 7th all-time at Maine.
MILLAN EARNS 12th AMERICA EAST PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONOR:
Four times this season, and 12 times in her career,
Blanca Millan has been named the America East Player of the Week. Millan trails only Cindy Blodgett (17) and is tied with Rachel Bouchard (12) for second-most player of the week awards won during a career at Maine.
DOR IS SO GRACIOUS
Dor Saar is currently the America East active leader in assists (473) and this year leads the America East in assist turnover ratio (2.58), total assists (62), and assists per game (5.6) Saar has amassed five or more assists 47 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 14 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 1.94 assist to turnover ratio over her time with the Black Bears. Saar stands 85 assists shy of moving into the top-5 on the America East career assists list.
FOGARTY SETS 3-POINT MARK:
On Jan. 3, 2021 at New Hampshire,
Kelly Fogarty set a new Maine women's basketball school-record, while matching the all-time America East mark, after she knocked down 10 three-point field goals in a single game. The 10 triples broke her own school-record (9), a mark she set during the 2019-20 season.
SAAR CLOSING IN ON 1,000 POINTS/500 ASSISTS
Dor Saar currently stands just 2 points away from 1,000 in her career and 27 assists shy of 500. Should Dor reach the marks, she'd become just the 22nd in Maine women's basketball history to reach the 1,000 point plateau, the second to reach 500 assists, and the first to achieve both 1,000 points and 500 assists.
SAAR - MAINE'S ALL-TIME LEADER FROM DOWNTOWN
With three triples at UAlbany (1/17, )
Dor Saar surpassed Cindy Blodgett as Maine's all-time record holder for three point field goals made with 220.
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 51 career rebounds away from 600.
DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE DEFENSE
As impressive as Maine's offense has been through 11 games in 2020-21 (66.9 ppg), the defense has been equally, if not more, impressive. Maine enters the weekend with the 12th ranked defense in the nation, allowing just 53.0 points per game. Maine has held five of its first 11 opponents to 50 points or fewer.
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 41 times, including 21 times last season. From Jan. 5 to March 8, 2020, Saar tallied 40+ minutes in 16-straight outings. Currently, Saar ranks 20th in the nation in 2020-21 at 37.56 minutes per game.
HOME SWEET HOME:
Over the past four seasons, Maine has built a 49-9 overall record at home and a 37-3 record in league play.
CONFERENCE TIDBITS
Over the past four seasons, Maine has gone 49-9 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
Maine currently leads the America East in 3-point field goals made (92), 3-point field goals made per game (8.4), and 3-point field goals percentage (34.2).
FACTOR OF 60
Over the past seven seasons, Maine is 129-21 when holding its opponent to 60 or fewer points. The Black Bears are 71-11 in the Vachon era when limiting teams to 60 or less. Over the past seven seasons against league competition, Maine is 76-9 when holding America East opponents to 60 points or fewer.
60 OR MORE
On the flip-side, Maine is 132-25 over the past seven seasons when it scorers 60 or more. In league play, Maine has a 80-8 record when scoring 60 or more points.
DECIDED AT THE HALF
Maine is 44-4 when leading at halftime over the past three seasons and 71-10 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 24-8 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-
