Orono, Maine -- Maine continues its three-game road swing when it carries its six game winning streak into Baltimore to take on UMBC, 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 in an online only broadcast.
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LAST TIME OUT:
Burlington, Vt. -- The Black Bears (18-8, 11-1 America East), who trailed by as many as 12 in the first half at Vermont (18-9, 10-3 AE), battled back to complete a 57-55 win over the Catamounts on Saturday afternoon. The victory, which completed the season sweep over the defending America East champions, extended Maine's win streak to six in a row.
Maine has now totaled double-digit conference wins in seven-straight season.
Anne Simon, who shot 7-of-14 from the floor, tallied 11 of her 16 points in the second quarter alone while adding five steals and four rebounds. Simon, who has now scored 1,820 points in her career, moved past Heather Ernest and into sixth on Maine's all-time scoring list in the game.
Adrianna Smith ran her double-digit scoring streak to 14-straight as she finished with 16 points and nine rebounds.
Sarah Talon matched her season-high with 15 points.
Maine, which entered play ranked 17th in the country in turnovers per game, limited itself to single digit turnovers for the fifth time this season and the second-straight outing with just eight giveaways while forcing 17 Vermont mishaps.
The contest featured 11 lead changes and eight ties as the Black Bears shot 20-of-52 (38.5) from the floor, 5-of-17 from three-point range, and hit 12-of-18 free throws.
A LOOK AT THE BLACK BEARS:
The Black Bears have won six-straight, including each of their last three road contests. Maine has been extremely sharp and efficient over its last two, with single digit turnover totals (4, 8) in its last two outings. Maine enters play ranked 15th in the country as it is averaging just 12.5 giveaways per game. In conference only action, Maine leads the league in both scoring (66.5) and scoring defense (50.5).
Anne Simon, who recently was awarded her 11th career America East Player of the Week accolade, has tallied double-digit scoring in each of her last five outings with two of those five scoring totals being 30-plus showings. Simon leads the America East in scoring (18.5) and checks in fourth in rebounding with 6.9 per game. Simon, who has tallied five or more steals in each of her past two games ranks second in the conference in the category at 2.6 swipes per game.
Adrianna Smith has been impressive in all facets of the game this season. Smith, who leads the league in both conference-only scoring (18.7) and conference-only rebounding (11.8), ranks third in the country with 18 double-doubles on the season and eighth in rebounding at 11.2 per game. Smith ranks among the top-8 of conference leaders in eight statistical categories including scoring, rebounding, and assists. Maine has hit double-digit triples in three of its last four games and leads the America East at 7.7 three pointers per game.
A LOOK AT UMBC:
The Retrievers have lost five in a row after suffering a tough, two-point loss to UAlbany on Saturday (58-56). UMBC ranks fifth in the league in scoring (50.0) and fifth in scoring defense (55.0) while forcing a third-best 17.5 turnovers per game. Anna Blout guides UMBC's balanced scoring attack at 12.7 points per game and represents the only Retrievers currently averaging double-figures. Blount also leads UMBC in rebounding (6.8). Jaliena Sanchez is adding 8.5 points and 2.4 rebounds, while Jordon Lewis chips in 7.1 points with a 30.5 percentage from three-point range.
SERIES WITH UMBC:
Maine has won 10 of its last 12 meetings against the Retrievers and lead the all-time series, 26-14. Maine is 10-9 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 captured the first meeting between the two clubs this season, a 76-47 triumph in Orono. In the win, Smith registered 33 points and 12 rebounds and has now recorded 33 points against the Retrievers in back-to-back outings in the series. Smith is averaging 19.6 points and 6.4 rebounds in the all-time series with UMBC.
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