Orono, Maine -- The University of Maine (11-7, 7-1 AE) puts its three game win streak on the line when it hosts Bryant (7-15, 1-8 AE) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Memorial Gymnasium in the second meeting this season between the two teams. Maine has won five in a row against the Bulldogs after taking down Bryant, 74-62, earlier this season.
The game can be seen live on
ESPN+ and heard locally on 92.9 The Ticket and nationally at
GoBlackBears.com.
LAST TIME OUT:
Orono, Maine -- Caroline Bornemann's reverse layup with 8.1 seconds remaining in regulation proved to be the difference as the Black Bears (11-9, 7-1 AE) handed UAlbany (14-9, 8-1) its first loss in conference play with a 50-49 decision on Saturday afternoon. The victory marks Maine's 12th victory over the Great Danes in the last 13 meetings between the two programs.
Maine, which jumped out to an 18 point lead in the first quarter, was led by Adrianna Smith's 22 points and nine rebounds. The point tally marked Smith's 11th-straight game in double-figures and her seventh time scoring 20-plus points this season. Bornemann added nine points and six boards while Jaycie Christopher came off the bench with seven points.
For the ninth time in its last 10 outings, the Black Bears won the rebounding battle. Maine registered 37 boards to UAlbany's 26 including 13 on the offensive end. The Black Bears finished the game 19-of-48 (39.6), 5-for-13 from three-point range, and hit seven of eight free throws in the win.
A LOOK AT THE BLACK BEARS:
Maine enters play riding a three game win streak. Over that stretch, the Black Bears are allowing just 48.3 points per game and outrebounding the opposition by a +20 margin. Adrianna Smith, the reigning and three-time America East Player of the Week, has registered double-digit scoring in each of her last 11 games with double-doubles in seven of her last nine games. In conference only action, Smith leads the league in scoring (22.6) and rebounding (10.6) while checking in second among league leaders at 4.0 assists against league opponents. Overall, Smith ranks second in the league in scoring (15.5) and leads the league in rebounding (8.9). Caroline Bornemann checks in sixth in the league in rebounding (6.3) and 18th in scoring (9.8). Maine ranks first in the league at 6.8 triples per game and lead the league in three point defense, checking in 12th nationally, holding opponents to just 25.6 percent from beyond the arc. Maine has won the rebounding battle in nine of its last 10 games.
A LOOK AT BRYANT:
After scoring their first win in league play (65-44 against UNH), the Bulldogs have dropped three of their last four meetings including a 62-51 loss against Binghamton on Saturday. The Bulldogs, in their first season as an America East conference member, lead the league in scoring at 65.2 points per game while ranking seventh among league leaders in scoring defense, allowing 64.1. The Bulldogs also lead the league in rebounding (38.5), grabbing a league high 12.6 per game on the offensive glass. Bryant, which will face Maine's top-ranked three-point offense, rank last in America East in defending the three-point line (34.0). Mariona Planes Fortuny leads the America East in scoring at 16.0 points per game to go along with a team-high 6.1 rebounds. Nicole Gallagher is adding 10.6 points.
SERIES WITH BRYANT:
Maine and Bryant will meet for the 11th time and second this season after the Black Bears defeated Bryant, 74-62, on Dec. 29. In that game, Adrianna Smith posted a double-double with 19 points and 13 boards while Sarah Talon poured in 21 points. Maine currently holds a 7-3 edge in the all-time series and have won each of the last five meetings. Maine is 3-1 at home in the series against the Bulldogs. The two teams first met in 2010, a 75-66 road victory for the Black Bears. The teams split the first six meetings, before Maine has most recently been able to roll off five-straight wins against Bryant.
Tale of the Tape
| Maine |
Category |
Bryant |
| 58.6 |
Points Per Game |
65.2 |
| 60.6 |
Opponent Points Per Game |
64.1 |
| -2.0 |
Scoring Margin |
+1.1 |
| 42.0 |
FG Pct. |
40.6 |
| 33.2 |
3-PT FG Pct. |
34.0 |
| 70.2 |
FT Pct. |
73.4 |
| 33.4 |
Rebound Per Game |
38.5 |
| -0.4 |
Rebound Margin |
+2.3 |
| 13.3 |
Assists Per Game |
12.1 |
| 16.3 |
Turnovers Per Game |
16.2 |
| 13.3 |
Turnovers Forced Per Game |
14.6 |
| 5.8 |
Steals Per Game |
8.1 |
| 2.8 |
Blocks Per Game |
3.5 |
-UMaine-
