Orono, Maine -- The University of Maine looks to extend its current win streak to five in a row, while also looking for its fifth-straight win against UMBC, when the two meet for the second time this season on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. Maine earned a 71-54 victory in the first meeting of the season back on Jan. 14.
The game can be seen live on
ESPN3Â and heard locally on 92.9 The Ticket and nationally at
GoBlackBears.com.
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LAST TIME OUT:
Orono, Maine -- The University of Maine women's basketball team (12-9, 8-1 AE) continued its recent trend of strong defensive play as the Black Bears earned their fourth consecutive win with a 66-43 victory over Bryant (7-16, 1-9 AE) on Wednesday evening.
The contest marked the fourth-straight game in which Maine has held its opponent to 50 points or fewer as the Bulldogs only mustered 43 points, a season low defensive effort by the Black Bears. Bryant, which shot just 28.3 percent (15-of-53) from the floor, was unable to score more than 12 points in a quarter all evening as Maine forced 12 turnovers with nine steals. For the 10th time in its last 11 outings, the Black Bears won the rebounding battle as the hosts snatched 43 boards to Bryant's 30.
Maine, which never trailed in the game, was led by Adrianna Smith who registered her conference leading 12th double-double behind 14 points and 13 rebounds. Sera Hodgson and Olivia Rockwood each added 11 points in the win.
A LOOK AT THE BLACK BEARS:
Maine enters play riding a four game win streak. Over that stretch, the Black Bears are allowing just 47.0 points per game and outrebounding the opposition by a +33 margin. Adrianna Smith, the reigning and three-time America East Player of the Week, has registered double-digit scoring in each of her last 12 games with double-doubles in eight of her last 10 games including a 14 points, 13 rebound performance in Maine's win over Bryant. In conference only action, Smith leads the league in scoring (21.7) and rebounding (10.9) while checking in second among league leaders at 3.9 assists against league opponents. Overall, Smith ranks second in the league in scoring (15.4) and leads the league in rebounding (9.1). Caroline Bornemann checks in seventh in the league in rebounding (6.2) and 19th in scoring (9.6). Maine ranks first in the league at 6.8 triples per game and lead the league in three point defense, checking in 10th nationally, holding opponents to just 25.4 percent from beyond the arc. Maine has won the rebounding battle in 10 of its last 11 games.
A LOOK AT UMBC:
The Retrievers are currently in the midst of a two-game losing streak after dropping contests to Vermont (64-51) and at Binghamton (80-70). UMBC, 5-3 at home this season, currently stands at 6-4 in the conference. Defensively, UMBC ranks third in the conference in turnovers forced (16.3) but are last in points allowed, surrendering 66.3 points per outing. Offensively, the Retrievers rank fourth in the league in scoring (59.8 ppg) with the majority of their offense coming from inside the arc as they check in last in the league in three-point field goals made per game (4.0). KK White leads three UMBC double-figure scorers at 11.0 points. Kiara Bell checks in at 10.8 points with a team-high 8.3 rebounds while Ashia McCalla rounds out the double-figure players at 10.4 points per game.
SERIES WITH UMBC:
Maine has won nine of its last 10 meetings against the Retrievers and lead the all-time series, 25-13. Maine is 10-8 on the road against UMBC. The two teams first met on Jan. 24, 2004 with Maine coming away with a 60-45 victory in Baltimore. The Black Bears would go on to win each of the first five meetings in the all-time series. Maine won the first meeting this year, 71-54, back on Jan. 14. Adi Smith led the way in the win with 25 points and 10 rebounds while Anne Simon (15 pts) and Caroline Bornemann (13 pts) each chipped in double-figure efforts.
Tale of the Tape
| Maine |
Category |
UMBC |
| 59.0 |
Points Per Game |
59.8 |
| 59.7 |
Opponent Points Per Game |
66.3 |
| -0.7 |
Scoring Margin |
-6.5 |
| 42.1 |
FG Pct. |
40.2 |
| 33.5 |
3-PT FG Pct. |
27.2 |
| 70.2 |
FT Pct. |
70.2 |
| 33.9 |
Rebound Per Game |
35.9 |
| +0.8 |
Rebound Margin |
-1.2 |
| 13.5 |
Assists Per Game |
10.3 |
| 16.0 |
Turnovers Per Game |
17.2 |
| 13.2 |
Turnovers Forced Per Game |
16.3 |
| 6.0 |
Steals Per Game |
7.5 |
| 2.8 |
Blocks Per Game |
3.0 |
-UMaine-
