ORONO, Maine -- The University of Maine women's basketball team continues its three-game homestand when it plays host to NJIT on Saturday at 1 p.m. on. Bananas Cub Club Day, presented by Bangor Savings Bank. Tickets remain available and can be purchased by visiting GoBlackBears.com/tickets.

Saturday'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 University of Maine women's basketball team is excited to welcome all Bananas Cub Club members to Saturday's game when the Black Bears host NJIT at 1 p.m. The Bananas Cub Club is proudly presented by Bangor Savings Bank.

All Bananas Cub Club members are eligible to receive a free ticket to Saturday's game! All current Cub Club members may request their free ticket(s) to the game by visiting this link!
Parents and guardians of Cub Club members may request discounted tickets at $6 each. Tickets purchased in advance will be sent out electronically. Tickets will also be available at the gate on gameday while supplies last.

The Black Bears will also host a postgame autograph session on the floor following Saturday's game with NJIT.

Game 17 | Maine vs. NJIT
Saturday, Jan. 10, 2025 | 1:00 P.M. | ESPN+ | Radio - Listen
Skip Chappelle Court | Orono, Maine

LAST TIME OUT:
ORONO, Maine -- Adrianna Smith posted her eighth double-double of the season as Maine's strong second half defensive effort guided it to a 58-43 victory over visiting UMBC on Thursday evening.

Smith finished the contest with 19 points and 11 rebounds to go along with six assists on a 7-for-19 shooting night. Smith was joined in double-figures by Sarah Talon and Asta Blauenfeldt who each registered 13 points in the win.

Maine's defense, which forced 19 turnovers, limited UMBC to just 6-of-33 shooting in the second half. In total, the Retrievers were limited to 17-of-58 (29.3) for the game. Maine held a slight advantage on the boards, 36-33, as the Black Bears went 22-of-50 (44.0) from the floor.

The Black Bears, who overcame 24 turnovers to earn the victory, fell behind by six in the first quarter and trailed by a pair after the first stanza. 

A LOOK AT THE BLACK BEARS:
Maine boasts a +4.67 turnover margin in league play and enter action averaging 68.0 points per game against conference opponents. Adrianna Smith, averaging 27.7 points per game in conference action, is tied for the America East lead in scoring (20.1) which is good for 18th best in the country. Smith also leads the America East in rebounding, checking in 36th nationally in the category, at 9.5 boards per game. Smith, who ranks eighth in the country with eight double-doubles, has posted double-figure scoring in each of her last 11 outings. Following back-to-back zero point outings, Asta Blauenfeldt has rebounded to post double-digit scoring in her last six outings. Blauenfeldt checks in 15th in the league at 11.9 points per game and, statistically, is Maine's top three-point threat as she ranks eighth among league leaders at 1.8 triples per outing with a 33.7 percent clip from downtown, the 10th best clip in the league.  Maine, which has won the turnover battle in 11 games including each of its first three conference outings, ranks second in the league and 60th nationally at just 14.1 giveaways per game.

A LOOK AT NJIT:
The Highlanders, winners of three of their last four including a 69-62 decision over UNH last time out, lead the America East with 7.1 triples made per game and rank second in the league at 20.9 three-point attempts per outing. In conference play, the Highlanders boast the league's top scoring offense at 73.3 points per game through three league contests. NJIT averages 16.4 turnovers per game and enter with a league-worst -2.63 turnover margin. Olivia Kulyk ranks fourth in the America East at 15.6 points per game with a league-high 2.7 triples made per game and a 37.6 percent clip from outside. Alejandra Zuniga, who missed six games earlier, leads NJIT at 18.0 points per game. Ava Locklear is adding 9.7 points and ranks four in the conference at 8.5 rebounds per game. 

SERIES WITH NJIT: 
Maine and NJIT meet for the 15th time in history after the Highlanders joined the America East in the 2020-21 season. Maine owns the all-time series, 9-5, and have won four of the last five, including a 65-51 decision in last season's America East quarterfinal meeting in Orono. In that game, Asta Blauenfeldt poured in a game-high 22 points with ine rebounds. Maine and NJIT split last season's regular season meetings, each winning on its home court. Maine is 6-3 all-time at home against the Highlanders and have won five-straight against NJIT in Maine. Prior to NJIT joining the league, the two teams met in 2009, a contest won by NJIT in Newark by a score of 63-50. The first-ever meeting came in 2008 where the Black Bears were defeated on their home court, 68-60.

-UMaine-