ORONO, Maine -- The Black Bears begin their two-game New York road trip with a stop at UAlbany for the 59th career showdown with the Great Danes in a rematch of last season's America East semifinal on Thursday, Jan. 22 at 6:30 p.m.

Thursday's game can be seen nationally on ESPN+. Additionally, Thursday's game can be heard at 92.9 FM in the Bangor region and nationwide on the Black Bears Sports Network at GoBlackBears.com.

Game 20 | Maine (9-10, 4-2 AE) at UAlbany (11-7, 1-4)
Thursday, Jan. 22, 2025 | 6:30 P.M. | ESPN+ | 92.9 FM
SEFCU Arena | Albany, N.Y.

LAST TIME OUT:
DURHAM, N.H. -- Adrianna Smith registered 32 points while the Black Bears matched a season-high with 11 made triples to earn a 73-51 victory at New Hampshire in the Buffalo Wild Wings Border Battle.

Smith's 32 point performance was the third time this season in which she's registered 30 or more points in a game as she finished the afternoon 12-of-23 from the floor, including a perfect 4-of-4 from three-point range, to go along with nine rebounds. Olivia Alvarez also added four triples and finished with a career-high 16 points. Asta Blauenfeldt and Sarah Talon each contributed eight points.

The Black Bears matched a season-high with 11 made triples, hitting 11-of-24 from beyond the arc (45.8). Maine forced 22 New Hampshire turnovers, contributing to a 25-1 advantage in points off turnovers. 

A LOOK AT THE BLACK BEARS:
The Black Bears are averaging 69.3 points per game in league play and have won the turnover battle in five of the first six conference games, with single digit turnover totals in two of the first six and a turnover margin of +6.00. Maine is averaging a league-best 9.5 steals and league-high 3.83 blocks per game in conference play. Adrianna Smith continues her impressive and consistent offensive output as she leads the America East in scoring (21.0), rebounding (9.5), and assists (4.7). Smith, who has tallied three performances of 30-plus points this year with two of those performances coming over her last three outings, enters play on a 14-game double-figure scoring streak. Smith is averaging 26.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in league action. Sarah Talon, who has recorded double-digit scoring in four of the first six conference games, is averaging 12.0 points and 5.3 rebounds against league competition. Asta Blauenfeldt, who recently had her seven-game double-digit scoring streak snapped, ranks second on the team in scoring (11.6) and leads the America East in conference-only steals at 2.5 takeaways per game.

A LOOK AT UALBANY:
The Great Danes stumble into Thursday's meeting on a three-game losing skid as they went 0-3 on their recent three-game road trip with loses at Bryant, Binghamton, and Vermont. UAlbany hangs its hat on its defense, ranking 15th in the country allowing just 54.7 points per game. The Great Danes boast the league's top three-point percentage, checking in 14th nationally at 37.2 percent from downtown, and rank second in the America East in overall field goal percentage at 45.6. Delanie Hill leads the UAlbany offense, raking fifth in the conference at 14.9 points per game and checking in second-best among conference leaders at 2.17 triples per outing. Amaya Stewart has provided a spark off the bench, ranking second on the team at 11.4 points. Martina Borrellas is adding 10.6 points and a team-high 6.6 rebounds.

SERIES WITH UALBANY: 
Maine and UAlbany will square off for the 59th time in history. The Great Danes swept the regular season meetings last, winning 60-55 on their home court before taking a 56-40 decision in Orono, before completing the season sweep of Maine with a 49-41 win in the America East semifinal. The Black Bears have won 13 of the last 20 meetings. Maine holds a 32-26 edge in the all-time series. Maine is 18-17 on the road against UAlbany.

-UMaine-