Orono, Maine -- Home sweet home. For just the second time this season, the Black Bears will play on their home court when they host UMass Lowell in a two-game weekend series rematch of last year's America East semifinal. This weekend's contests are schedule for Saturday, Feb. 6 at 4 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 7 at 1 p.m. Saturday's contest will be presented by
Bangor Savings Bank while Sunday's game will be presented by
The Official Home Team of the Black Bears - The Emily Ellis Team of Berkshire Hathaway Northeast Real Estate and C-M-G Financial. Both games will be streamed live on ESPN3 and can be heard across the Black Bears Sports Network on 96.1 WGUY-FM and worldwide at GoBlackBears.com.
Prior to Sunday's game, the Black Bears will take a moment to recognize their five seniors -
Maeve Carroll,
Dor Saar,
Kelly Fogarty,
Blanca Millan, and
Fanny Wadling - for their dedication to the University of Maine during their stints with the Black Bears.
Maine is 49-9 over the past four seasons at home, including a 37-3 record in league play during that stretch on its home court. The Black Bears carry an eight-game home win streak into the weekend. Overall, Maine has won each of its last seven contests this season. Only two schools in the country have played more road games than the Black Bears - Stanford and Santa Clara each at 12 road contests.
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LAST TIME OUT:
Vestal, N.Y. -- The University of Maine women's basketball team extended its winning streak to seven after completing a weekend sweep of Binghamton with a 70-53 decision on Sunday afternoon. The Black Bears have now swept weekend series from each of their last three America East opponents.
Maine featured a balanced scoring attack with four players finishing in double-figures, led by
Blanca Millan's 17 points to go along with six boards and three steals. Millan's three steals gave her 302 for her career, moving her past Liz Coffin and into second on Maine's all-time steals list.
Dor Saar added 13 points with a trio of triples while
Anne Simon and
Maeve Carroll rounded out the double-digit scorers with 12 points apiece. Carroll led the Black Bears with eight boards while
Fanny Wadling added her best effort of the season with eight points and seven rebounds off the bench.
Maine controlled the boards 43-35 while shooting 27-of-64 (42.2) from the floor with eight triples.
A LOOK AT THE BLACK BEARS:
The Black Bears have been on quite the streak as of late, winning each of their last seven games while achieving numerous individual milestones with
Dor Saar and
Blanca Millan leading the way. Over the past month, Saar has moved into Maine's all-time three point leader while also becoming the 22nd Black Bear in program history to surpass 1,000 career points. Over the weekend at Binghamton, Millan moved past Heather Ernest and into fifth on Maine's all-time scoring list while also climbing into second on Maine's all-time steals list, becoming just the second player to achieve 300 career steals.
Maine has been a well-rounded machine on both ends of the court, ranking first in the America East in scoring offense (67.2) and sixth in the country in scoring defense (52.5). In all, the Black Bears rank at the top of the America East in 14 statistical categories. Maine, which has registered 10 or more triples five times this season, lead the America East in 3-point field goals per game (7.9), 3-point field goal percentage (34.2), and total 3-point field goals made (103). The Black Bears, who rank 26th nationally in scoring margin at +14.7, have been tremendous both taking the ball away and protecting it on the offensive end. Maine is tops in the America East in turnovers per game, 15th in the country, at 12.2 giveaways per game and rank third in the league at 18.2 turnovers forced. Maine leads the America East at 9.4 steals per game and check in 21st in the country with a 1.29 assist to turnover ratio.
Individually, Millan paces an impressive Maine offensive attack as she checks in 18th in the country and tops in the America East at 22.1 points per game. Millan, who has bested 20 points in eight of Maine's 13 games and registered double-digits in all 13, checks in second among league leaders in rebounding at 7.6 boards per game. Defensively, Millan leads the America East and ranks 28th nationally at 2.77 steals per game. Saar, the most recent 1,000 point scorer in program history, is averaging 10.4 points per game and runs the offense for the Black Bears. Saar, who has tallied five or more assists in seven of Maine's last eight games, leads the America East in assists per game (5.6), total assists (73) and assist to turnover ratio (2.61). The senior point guard leads the America East with 33 triples, a league-best 2.54 triples made per game, and a 42.9 percentage from beyond the arc. Sophomore
Anne Simon, has registered double-figures in each of her last four games, checks in third in the league at 13.1 points per game and fourth at 1.8 steals.
A LOOK AT UMASS LOWELL:
The River Hawks enter the weekend No. 3 in the America East standings after splitting their weekend series at UAlbany a week ago. UMass Lowell dropped the opener with the Great Danes, 46-39, before scoring a 46-31 victory in the series finale. Sophomore Denise Solis enters action as the lone River Hawk averaging double-figure point totals at 10.4 points per game and is tied for the team lead in rebounding at 5.9 boards per game. Junior Kharis Idom, an America East Second Team selection in 2019-20, is adding 9.8 points while sophomore Jaliena Sanchez, an America East All-Rookie Team selection a year ago, leads the River Hawks in assists (3.0) while chipping in 9.2 points.
UMass Lowell plays a slow-paced style as it ranks 307th in the country, sixth in the America East, in offense at 55.5 points per game but third in the league and 27th nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 56.5 points per game. Beyond the arc, the River Hawks have been impressive in defending the three, ranking fourth in the country allowing opponents to cash in at just 21.6 percent on the year. UMass Lowell leads the America East in turnovers forced (18.4), and have reached the free throw line at a high rate, ranking first in the league in free throw attempts. The River Hawks give it away at a high-rate with the ninth-most turnovers among the league's 10 teams (272).
SERIES WITH UMASS LOWELL:
Maine and UMass Lowell are meeting for the 16th and 17th time. Maine, 14-1 all-time against the River Hawks, had its 12-game win streak against the River Hawks snapped when it was defeated, 66-57 last season at Lowell. Since that loss, Maine has won two-straight including a 67-54 victory in last season's America East semifinal held at The Pit. Since the River Hawks joined the America East in 2013, Maine is 8-0 on its home court in the all-time series. The first-ever meeting between the two teams came on Jan. 23, 2014, a 75-66 victory by the Black Bears in Lowell.
Anne Simon has registered double-digit scoring performance in each of her three games against the River Hawks.
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 5th on Maine's all-time scoring list with 1,834 points. She stands 319 points behind Liz Coffin (2,153) for 4th all-time.
- Millan stands just 166 points from becoming the fifth all-time in Maine history to reach 2,000 points.
- Millan currently ranks 13th on the America East all-time scoring list. Millan enters play this weekend 137 points behind Katie Terhune (Boston University - 2000-04, 1,971) for 12th all-time.
- Defensively, Millan ranks second on Maine's all-time steals list (302), 32 behind Cindy Blodgett (334) for the all-time lead.
- Millan currently ranks fourth on Maine's career 3-point list (203), seven 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 13th AMERICA EAST PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONOR:
Five times this season, and 13 times in her career,
Blanca Millan has been named the America East Player of the Week. Millan trails only Cindy Blodgett (17) for 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 (484) and this year leads the America East in assist turnover ratio (2.61), total assists (73), and assists per game (5.6) Saar has amassed five or more assists 48 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 three 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 74 assists shy of moving into the top-5 on the America East career assists list.
FOGARTY SETS SINGLE-GAME 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
On Jan. 23 at Binghamton,
Dor Saar became the 22nd Black Bear in program history to reach the 1,000 point plateau. Saar now stands just 16 assists shy of 500. Should Dor reach the assist mark, she'd become just the second in program history 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. Saar currently has 223 career triples, 21 out of fifth on the America East all-time three-point field goals made list.
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 42 career rebounds away from 600.
DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE DEFENSE
As impressive as Maine's offense has been through 13 games in 2020-21 (67.2 ppg), the defense has been equally, if not more, impressive. Maine enters the weekend with the sixth ranked defense in the nation, allowing just 52.5 points per game. Maine has held six of its first 13 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.
ROAD WARRIORS:
Only two teams have played more road games than Maine this season - Stanford and Santa Clara each at 12. The Black Bears have compiled a 10-1 record on the road this season and have strung together five-straight road victories.
CONFERENCE TIDBITS
Over the past four seasons, Maine has gone 51-9 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 103), 3-point field goals made per game (7.9), and 3-point field goals percentage (34.2).
FACTOR OF 60
Over the past seven seasons, Maine is 131-21 when holding its opponent to 60 or fewer points. The Black Bears are 73-11 in the Vachon era when limiting teams to 60 or less. Over the past seven seasons against league competition, Maine is 78-9 when holding America East opponents to 60 points or fewer.
60 OR MORE
On the flip-side, Maine is 134-25 over the past seven seasons when it scorers 60 or more. In league play, Maine has a 82-8 record when scoring 60 or more points.
DECIDED AT THE HALF
Maine is 46-4 when leading at halftime over the past three seasons and 73-10 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-
