ORONO, Maine -- The University of Maine women's basketball team wraps up its three-game homestand when it hosts Vermont on Thursday at 6 p.m. on Military Appreciation Day, presented by General Dynamics Bath Iron Works. Tickets remain available and can be purchased by visiting GoBlackBears.com/tickets.

Thursday's game can be seen nationally on ESPN+. Additionally, Thursday's game can be heard on the Black Bears Sports Network at GoBlackBears.com.

PROMOTIONS:

• The Black Bears are happy to host their annual Military Appreciation Game, presented by General Dynamics Bath Iron Works. All military personnel, veterans and their immediate family members are able to reserve complimentary tickets to the game. Military personnel and veterans with proper identification are asked to call the ticket office at 207-581-BEAR to reserve complimentary tickets.
• It's Rally Towel night at The Pit! Make sure to arrive early as the first 400 fans in attendance will receive a commemorative rally towel.
   

Game 18 | Maine (8-9, 3-1 AE) vs. Vermont (13-5, 2-1)
Thursday, Jan. 15, 2025 | 6:00 P.M. | ESPN+ | Radio - Listen
Skip Chappelle Court | Orono, Maine

LAST TIME OUT:
ORONO, Maine -- The University of Maine women's basketball team (8-9, 3-1) produced its highest offensive output of the season to earn an 86-67 victory over visiting NJIT (11-6, 2-2) on Saturday afternoon. 

Adrianna Smith guided the way as she notched her ninth double-double of the season, and the second in as many games, finishing with 30 points and 13 rebounds to go along with eight assists, three blocks, and a pair of steals. Sarah Talon finished 7-of-13 from the floor with season-highs in scoring (19) and assists (6) to go along with seven rebounds. Asta Blauenfeldt hit four triples to finish with 18 points, five rebounds, and three steals. 

The Black Bears ended each half strong, outscoring NJIT 22-10 in the second quarter and 20-8 in the fourth, to help seal the win. 

Maine dominated the boards, 42-31, with 24 assists on 35 made buckets. The Black Bears hit 35-of-74 (47.3) from the floor with six triples while registering 12 steals.
 
A LOOK AT THE BLACK BEARS:
Maine, winners of each of their last two conference outings, enter play averaging 72.5 points per game in league-action after producing its highest scoring output (86) in its win over NJIT. The Black Bears are also forcing 18.5 turnovers per game against league competition, second best in the America East. Adrianna Smith, the reigning America East Player of the Week, has produced double-doubles in each of her last two outings and is averaging 28.3 points per game, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists in league play. Overall, Smith leads the America East in scoring (20.7), rebounding (9.7), and assists (4.8). With three more assists, Smith will become the only player to be ranked in the top-10 all-time at Maine in points, rebounds, and assists. She also stands just four rebounds shy of moving into sixth on Maine's all-time rebounding leaderboard. Smith, who ranks 13th in the country in scoring, has produced nine double-doubles in the season which ranks seventh in the country. Asta Blauenfeldt, riding a seven-game double-figure scoring streak, ranks 14th in the league in scoring (12.2), seventh in triples per game (1.9), fifth in steals (1.9), and 10th in three-point percentage (34.7). Sarah Talon, coming off a season-high 19 points against NJIT, is riding a three-game double-digit scoring streak and has produced at least one steal in each of her last 15 games. 

A LOOK AT VERMONT:
The Catamounts, defending America East champions and preseason favorite to win the league, enter 13-5 and 2-1 in the league after dropping a 71-67 decision at Binghamton last Thursday. Vermont, undefeated at home (6-0) and 6-4 on the road, rank third in the league in scoring at 69.2 points per game and check in 17th nationally with a 47.6 percent clip from the floor. As has become custom, Vermont prides itself on its defense where it ranks 19th in the country at 55.1 points per game allowed. The Catamounts are fourth in the country with just 10.7 turnovers per game, seven times turning it over few than 10 times this season, and lead the league with a 4.56 turnover margin. Nikola Priede leads the way at 16.8 points per game and 7.8 rebounds, both team highs. Keira Hanson is adding 14.4 points while Jadyn Weltz, a Binghamton transfer, is chipping in 11.8 points and a team-best 4.4 assists. 

SERIES WITH VERMONT: 
Maine and Vermont square off for 107th time in history. Maine and Vermont split the season series a year ago, with each team winning on its home court. Vermont took the latest meeting, a 65-34 win in Burlington, after Maine defeated the Catamounts 45-39 in Orono. Maine has won 14 of the last 16 meetings. The Black Bears currently hold a 69-37 advantage in the all-time series, having won 21 of the last 25 meetings. Maine is 30-12 at home against the Catamounts and have won three consecutive meetings at home in the series. Smith, who missed both games with Vermont a year ago, is averaging 13.3 points and 6.9 rebounds per game in seven meetings with the Catamounts.


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