Orono, Maine -- For the first time in 615 days, the University of Maine women's basketball team will play at home in front of its home fans when the Black Bears host Providence in Maine's home opener at The Pit inside Memorial Gymnasium on Saturday, Nov. 13 at 1 p.m. Limited tickets remain and can be purchased in advance at
GoBlackBears.com/tickets or by phone at 207.581.BEAR.
Saturday's game will be broadcast live on
ESPN3. The game can also be heard worldwide on the
Black Bear Sports Network and locally in Maine on
92.9 The Ticket.
A LOOK AT MAINE:
The Black Bears, who sit just outside the College Insider Mid-Major Top-25 poll after receiving 54 votes in the first poll of the season (Nov. 2), were selected No. 2 in the America East Preseason Coaches poll a year after reaching the America East title game for the sixth-straight season. Maine returns two starters and nine letterwinners and will be led by America East Preseason All-Conference selection
Anne Simon and 2021 America East All-Conference Second Team honoree
Maeve Carroll. Maine will look to fill the void left by the departure of two-time America East Player and Defensive Player of the Year
Blanca Millan (21.4 ppg) and All-Conference point guard,
Dor Saar (9.5 ppg/4.8 apg). Simon returns as Maine's top scoring threat a year after ranking fifth among America East scoring leaders at 12.5 points per game to go along with 5.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists. Carroll, who ended the 2020-21 season on a five-game double-figure scoring streak, ranked 13th in the conference in scoring (10.7) and eighth in rebounding 6.1). Carroll enters play as Maine's active leader with 12 double-doubles in her career. Maine will look for key minutes from sophomore point guard
Alba Orois who averaged 3.6 ppg and 0.8 apg in limited minutes (16.0/game) a year ago.
Maine will look to carry its offensive success into the 2021-22 season after leading the America East in scoring at 66.2 points per game. The Black Bears offense featured a dangerous 3-point threat as the Black Bears completed the 2020-21 season tops among America East leaders in 3-point percentage (32.5), 3-point field goals made (149), and 3-point field goals made per game (7.5). Maine also limited its turnovers, ranking 19th in the nation and tops in the America East with just 12.3 giveaways per game. On the defensive end, Maine ranked second in the league in turnovers forced (18.0) while checking in second in the conference, and seventh nationally, in scoring defense after limiting the opponent to 52.7 points per game.
A LOOK AT PROVIDENCE:
The Friars were selected to eighth in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll. Providence is led by Mary Baskerville. Baskerville, an All-Big East Second Team selection in 2020-21, led the Friars in scoring (12.7), rebounding (6.5), blocks (1.8), steals (1.4), and field goal percentage (53.8) last season. Providence also welcomes transfer Janai Crooms, a 4-star recruit, for this season. Crooms previously played two seasons at Ohio State before transferring to Michigan State for a year. The Friars also welcome back Alyssa Geary who started all 21 games a year ago while averaging 11.4 points and 4.8 rebounds. Providence dropped its season opener in overtime to Yale, 63-57, on Nov. 9 on its home court. Crooms led the way for Providence with 18 points and seven rebounds, with 10 turnovers, while Baskerville chipped in 11 points and nine boards. Providence welcomes eight newcomers to its roster including two transfers and six freshmen.
SERIES WITH PROVIDENCE:
Maine and Providence will meet for the eighth time in history. The two teams met in Maine's season opener a year ago as the Black Bears were able to come away with the victory, 62-48, in Providence.
Blanca Millan poured in a game-high 30 points in the win to go along with 14 rebounds while
Abbe Laurence, who made her first career start in the contest, added 10 points and nine boards. The win marked Maine's first-ever victory over the Friars, snapping a six-game losing skid against Providence. The Black Bears are 0-3 all-time at home against the Friars. Maine is 8-19 all-time against members of the Big East Conference. Maine's Big East wins have came against Villanova (1-2), Xavier (1-0), UConn (5-8), and Providence (1-6).
AMERICA EAST PRESEASON POLL:
Maine, which has advanced to six-straight America East title games, was selected second in the America East Preseason Coaches Poll. The Black Bears have captured the America East regular season crown in three of the last four seasons.
Tale of the Tape
| Maine (0-1) |
Category |
Providence (0-1) |
| 50.0 |
Points Per Game |
57.0 |
| 108.0 |
Opponent Points Per Game |
63.0 |
| -58.0 |
Scoring Margin |
-6.0 |
| 39.6 |
Field Goal Percentage |
33.3 |
| 21.7 |
3-Point Field Goal Percentage |
17.4 |
| 42.9 |
Free Throw Percentage |
45.0 |
| 20.0 |
Rebounds Per Game |
42.0 |
| -23.0 |
Rebound Margin |
-2.0 |
| 14.0 |
Assists Per Game |
16.0 |
| 16.0 |
Turnovers Per Game |
19.0 |
| 7.0 |
Turnovers Forced Per Game |
20.0 |
| 3.0 |
Steals Per Game |
12.0 |
| 3.0 |
Blocks Per Game |
10.0 |
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**Per University of Maine system guidance, UMaine Athletics will require all guests attending home hockey and basketball events to provide full proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test, which must be administered within the previous 72 hours. Patrons must have a mask in place covering their nose and mouth prior to entry to the venues.
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Face coverings remain required indoors for all persons - students, staff, faculty, and visitors, on campus at all UMaine Athletics sporting events, regardless of vaccination status. All guests over the age of two will be required to wear a face covering, except while eating or drinking.Â
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The University of Maine reserves the right to request additional screening of patrons prior to entering the building. The additional screening would consist of a symptom check and temperature scan.
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If guests are unable to provide valid proof of vaccination, a valid negative test, or fail the enhanced screening, guests will be turned away from the event.
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Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets to UMaine Athletics events prior to arriving at the venue and also are encouraged to arrive early to the venue on gameday.
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Please click here for a synopsis of the UMaine Athletics COVID-19 vaccination policy.**
-UMaine-
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