Orono, Maine -- Maine returns to Portland for the first time since 2019 when it takes on #17 Indiana on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Cross Insurance Arena. Limited tickets remain for the event as the game is expected to sell out. Fans interested in attending the game who do not have tickets yet are encouraged to purchase them at TicketMaster.com or at the Cross Insurance Arena box office.
Maine is playing its first game in Portland since it picked up a 46-41 win over Navy at the Portland Expo on Nov. 24, 2019. Thursday's game marks Maine's first appearance at the Cross Insurance Arena since a 64-48 victory over New Hampshire in the America East semifinals on March 4, 2018. Maine has won five-straight games in Portland.
Broadcast Details:
Thursday's game will be live streamed on ESPN+ and can be heard locally on 92.9 The Ticket and nationwide at GoBlackBears.com.
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A LOOK AT THE BLACK BEARS:
The Black Bears return to the Pine Tree State after a three-game weekend in Des Moines, Iowa in which they went 1-2 with a win over La Tech sandwiched between losses to Richmond and Vibrant Thanksgiving Classic hosts, Drake.
Adrianna Smith averaged 13.6 points and 10.0 rebounds on the weekend while posting two double-doubles to earn her a spot on the Vibrant Thanksgiving Classic All-Tournament Team and America East Player of the Week honors. Maine has now collected each of the first three conference Player of the Week accolades with
Anne Simon earning the award in each of the first two weeks. Simon, who moved into 9th on Maine's all-time scoring list last time out with 1,468 career points, has posted double-digits in five of Maine's first seven games. Simon leads the America East in scoring (15.9) and checks in second among league leaders in steals (2.1) and sixth in both rebounding (6.7) and assists (3.0). Smith, who ranks fifth in the country with four double-doubles this season, ranks ninth in the America East in scoring (12.0) with a league-leading 11.0 rebounds while sitting fifth best in assists (3.1). Maine leads the America East in rebounding (39.3) and has won the rebounding battle in six of its seven outings. The Black Bears are the league's leaders in three-point attempts (24.7) and check in sixth-best in scoring (57.4) and fourth in defense (59.6). Maine has held four of its seven opponents under 55 points and three of those to 48.
A LOOK AT #17 INDIANA:
The Hoosiers roll into Portland riding a four-game win streak with most recent victories over Tennessee and Princeton at the Fort Myers Tip-Off. Indiana features four returning starters from its 2022-23 team which went 28-4 and earned the Big Ten regular season title with a 16-2 mark. Indiana is led by Gorham, Maine native, and AP All-American, Mackenzie Holmes. Holmes, who recently became just the second player in Hoosier women's basketball history to eclipse 2,000 points, ranks second on the team with 17.8 points per game and team-high 6.8 rebounds. Sara Scalia leads the Hoosiers in scoring at 18.7 points per game with a 46.2 percent clip from three-point range.
SERIES WITH INDIANA:
Maine will meet Indiana for the third time in history. Maine is 0-2 all-time against the Hoosiers. The Black Bears dropped a 67-58 decision at Indiana on 12/12/03 before falling, 67-59, on 12/10/04 to the Hoosiers in Orono. The contest will mark Maine's first game against a ranked opponent since a 62-43 loss at then No. 23 Gonzaga last year. The game will also mark Maine's highest ranking opponent since meeting No. 14 NC State on Nov. 19, 2019.
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