ORONO, Maine – The University of Maine women's basketball team begins its 62nd season of competition on Friday evening when it hosts Saint Joseph's at 7 p.m. on Skip Chappelle Court inside Memorial Gymnasium. Limited tickets remain for the season opener and can be purchased at GoBlackBears.com/tickets, by phone at 207-581-BEAR, or in-person at the box office.

This is the second consecutive season in which Maine will open at home after defeating LaSalle in a home season opener a year ago. Maine is 36-25 all-time in season openers and 7-3 in its last 10 openers.

Friday's season opener can be seen on ESPN+, with an international stream available via AmericaEast.TV. Additionally, Friday night's game can be heard on the Black Bears Sports Network at GoBlackBears.com. 

Please note: New this season. All fans attending the game will be required to go through a metal detector upon arrival to Memorial Gymnasium. Please plan ahead and arrive early.
 
Game 1 | Maine vs. Saint Joseph's
Friday, Nov. 7, 2025 | 7:00 P.M. | ESPN+
Skip Chappelle Court | Orono, Maine

A LOOK AT THE BLACK BEARS:
Maine is coming off a 15-16 season, including a 9-7 mark in America East play. The Black Bears' postseason run came to an end in the conference semifinals with a 49-41 loss at UAlbany. The Black Bears lost four of their top five scorers from last season due to graduation or transfer but return America East All-Championship team selection Asta Blauenfeldt. Blauenfeldt averaged 9.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists to go along with a team-high 1.6 steals. Blauenfeldt concluded last season riding a five-game double-figure point scoring streak. The Black Bears also feature the return of 2022-23 America East Player of the Year and two-time first team honoree Adrianna Smith, who missed last year due to injury. In her last healthy season, Smith averaged 16.4 points and 10.8 rebounds while setting an America East record with 22 double-doubles. Smith currently ranks 18th on Maine's all-time scoring list and 12th in all-time rebounding. Maine features seven newcomers including transfers Lizzy Gruber (Saint Joseph's) and Kaliyah Sain (Kirkwood Community College), and freshmen Abby Price, Bailey Breen, Olivia Alvarez, Mackenzie Mori, and Lala Woods. The Black Bears will also welcome back 2024 Miss Maine Basketball Maddie Fitzpatrick who missed her freshman season due to injury. Last year, Maine led the America East in assists (14.8 per game) and three-point field goals made (8.2 per game). Head Coach Amy Vachon enters her ninth season at the helm of the program after becoming Maine's all-time winningest coach last year. Vachon, a five-time conference coach of the year, enters the season with 169 victories.

A LOOK AT THE HAWKS:
Saint Joseph's enters the season following its 27th postseason appearance, advancing to the second round of the WBIT in the 2024-25 season. The Hawks opened their 2025 campaign at home with a 69-46 win over West Chester. In the win, Saint Joseph's held a 50-27 advantage on the boards while forcing 22 turnovers. Jill Jekot led the Hawks with 20 points while Gabby Casey added a double-double with 13 points and 10 boards. Over the past three seasons, Saint Joseph's has dominated non-conference play, posting a 30-5 record outside of the Atlantic 10. The Hawks rework the lineup this season, replacing four starters from last year's squad, three of whom ranked among the program's top 11 all-time scorers. Gabby Casey (33) is the lone returning starter with seven or more starts last season and entering the year with 390 career points. Saint Joseph's welcomed eight newcomers in the offseason, including four freshmen and four transfers. Among the new additions is Faith Stinson, who joins the Hawks as the team's leading scorer with 565 career points.

SERIES HISTORY WITH SAINT JOSEPH'S: 
Maine and Saint Joseph's will meet for the fifth time in history. The teams battled a year ago with the Hawks earning a 74-48 home victory. Blauenfeldt led Maine with 17 points in hte loss on 6-of-13 shooting. After winning the first meeting between the two clubs, 54-36 back in 2004, Maine has lost three in a row to the Hawks. The Black Bears dropped meetings to the Hawks by margins of 69-49 (2006) and 74-46 (2008) and will be looking for their second win at home in the all-time series.

-UMaine-