Orono, Maine -- In a battle of conference unbeatens, the Black Bears (5-0 America East) travel to take on UAlbany (5-0 AE) in a rematch of last season's America East semifinal match-up on Thursday at 7 p.m.
Broadcast Details:
Thursday's game will be live streamed on ESPN+. The game can also be heard on the Black Bears Sports Network and on 92.9 FM (Bangor).
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LAST TIME OUT:
Orono, Maine -- The University of Maine women's basketball team improved to 5-0 in America East play for the first time since the 2003-04 season following a convincing, 81-39 victory over NJIT on Saturday afternoon.
Caroline Bornemann matched her career-high with five triples and finished with a season-high 27 points to go along with 12 rebounds to lead the Black Bears in the win.
Anne Simon moved into seventh on Maine's all-time scoring list with 1,707 career points following a 20 point effort, extending her double-digit scoring streak to 13 straight games while
Adrianna Smith posted her 13th double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Smith has now registered a double-double in three consecutive games and five of her last six outings.
Maine, which entered the game allowing just 47.5 points per game to its league competition, turned in one of its best defensive efforts of the season as it allowed a season-low 39 points including holding the Highlanders to just 14 total second half points. The Black Bears held NJIT to a 14-of-49 (28.6) shooting performance while forcing 19 turnovers on seven steals.
The Black Bears held a decisive, 48-28 advantage on the boards to win the rebounding battle for the fifth-straight game and assisted on 21 of their 29 made field goals. A total of 17 of Maine's 48 rebounds came off the offensive glass, ending in 23 second chance points. Maine finished the day 29-of-65 (44.6) from the floor.
A LOOK AT THE BLACK BEARS:
Maine is 5-0 in league play for the first time since the 2003-04 season after scoring a most recent, convincing 81-39 victory over NJIT. Maine's defense has been impressive through its first five conference games as the Black Bears rank first among league leaders in scoring defense, surrendering just 45.8 points per game. Maine has held four of its five conference opponents to 48 points or fewer.
Adrianna Smith, who ranks third in the country with 13 double-doubles on the season, is averaging 21.8 points and 11.8 rebounds in league play; both league highs among conference play leaders. Overall,
Anne Simon leads the America East in scoring at 18.4 points per game with double-digit scoring efforts in each of her last 13 outings. With a 20 point outing against NJIT, Simon surpassed Emily Ellis to move into seventh on Maine's all-time scoring list with 1,707 career points. Defensively, Simon ranks second in the America East at 2.5 steals per game and sixth on Maine's all-time steals list (246). For the season, Smith ranks among the top-7 in the America East in eight categories including scoring (4th - 16.1), rebounding (1st - 10.9), and assists (3rd - 4.4). Her 10.9 rebounds per game is good for 12th best in the country. Smith has registered a double-double in each of her last three outings and five of her last six.
Maine has won the rebounding battle in 15 of its 20 outings and enter play 12-3 when controlling the boards and has won the battle in each of its first five conference games. The Black Bears lead the America East in rebounding (38.2). As has become the norm, Maine has challenged itself with a tough slate and current feature the 116th strength of schedule in the country, the most challenging schedule faced among all America East schools. UAlbany features a strength of schedule ranked 258.
A LOOK AT UALBANY:
The Great Danes are 8-0 at home and have won each of their past 12 outings including a most recent 64-62 victory at Bryant. UAlbany has been impressive on the defense end where it ranks second in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 51.5 points per game. The Great Danes also feature the top-ranked scoring offense, averaging 67.7 points per game on the year with the fourth-best three-point field goal percentage (39.7) in the nation. Kayla Cooper, the reigning America East Player of the Week, leads UAlbany in scoring at 16.6 points per game. Cooper ranks second in the conference in scoring and rebounding (7.6) and leads the league with a 56.5 percent clip. Helene Haegerstrand is adding 10.0 points per game with a 32.4 percent mark from downtown.
SERIES WITH UALBANY:
Maine and UAlbany will square off for the 54th time in history, including nine post season meetings, in a game featuring a pair of undefeated conference foes. The teams split the two regular season meetings last year before UAlbany bested Maine in the America East semifinal round, 72-64. Each team won on its home court last season, with the Black Bears winning 50-49 in Orono and the Great Danes scoring a 53-50 regular season victory at home. The Black Bears have won 12 of the last 15 meetings. Maine holds a 31-22 edge in the all-time series. Maine is 17-15 on the road all-time against UAlbany.
Adrianna Smith posted double-digit scoring efforts in all three of the meetings a season ago and enters play averaging 12.6 points and 5.2 rebounds in five career games with the Danes.
Anne Simon missed both regular season games a year ago before returning in the semifinals to notch 23 points. Maine is 4-5 in postseason play against UAlbany.
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