ORONO, Maine -- The University of Maine women's basketball team looks to extend its current win streak to four in a row as it travels to UMBC to take on the Retrievers on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Game 25 | Maine (13-11, 8-3 AE) at UMBC (11-11, 6-4 AE)
Thursday, Feb. 12, 2025 | 6:30 P.M. | ESPN+ | GoBlackBears.com
Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena | Baltimore, Md.

LAST TIME OUT:
ORONO, Maine -- The University of Maine women's basketball team, which trailed by 11 in the first half, fought back behind a 29 point effort from Adrianna Smith to lead the Black Bears to a 64-56 win over Bryant on Saturday afternoon.

With her scoring effort, Smith moved past Sigi Koizar and into ninth on Maine's all-time scoring list with 1,679 career points.

Smith, who registered 19 of her 29 points in the first half, posted her third-consecutive double-double with 11 rebounds to go along with a pair of blocks. Smith's 29 point effort stretches her double-digit scoring effort to 18 in a row. Asta Blauenfeldt added 12 points, five rebounds, and three assists while Sarah Talon chipped in 10 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals.

Maine, which shot 19-of-56 from the floor, did its offensive damage from the free throw line where they finished the game 24-of-31 from the charity stripe. The 24 made free throws were the most by the Black Bears since March 10, 2019 while the 31 attempts were its most since March 5, 2017 at New Hampshire.

The Black Bears won the turnover battle for the eighth straight game as it posted single digit turnovers (9) for the third consecutive outing.

A LOOK AT THE BLACK BEARS:
The Black Bears are riding a three-game win streak after victories at Vermont and over Bryant last week. Maine is averaging a league-high 68.1 points per game in conference play with a +10.1 scoring margin. The Black Bears are also posting a league-best +6.18 turnover margin as they have won the turnover battle in 10 of 11 conference outings with single-digit turnover totals in each of the last three games. Adrianna Smith, who has posted double-doubles in each of her last three games, leads the America East in scoring (21.7), rebounding (9.7), assists (4.6), and double-doubles (12). Her 21.7 points per game check in 12th among the nation's leaders in scoring. Sher recently moved into ninth on Maine's all-time scoring list with 1,679 points. Smith, riding a 19-game double-digit scoring stream, has posted 20+ points in five of her last six. Asta Blauenfeldt, who has a three-game double-digit scoring streak, is averaging 19.7 points per game and ranks sixth in the conference in both three-point percentage (37.2) and three-point field goals made per game (2.0). Blauenfeldt is averaging 13.5 points per game in league play. Sarah Talon has posted double-digits in three of her last five and ranks 16th in the conference at 4.7 rebounds per game.

A LOOK AT UMBC:
The Retrievers, winners of six of their last eight, are the only team in America East to defeat top-seeded Binghamton this season. However, UMBC recently suffered a 73-59 setback in its rematch with the Bearcats. UMBC ranks fifth in the America East in scoring (63.3) and fourth in defense (59.0). The Retrievers lead the league in rebounding (37.1) and turnovers forced (19.2) with a league-high 9.9 steals per game. Jade Tillman leads UMBC in scoring, ranking seventh in the league at 15.1 points per game. Tillman leads the league in steals per game (2.0) and free throw percentage (86.8) and ranks first on the team in rebounding (6.9). Heidi Williams is adding 10.1 points while Kennedy Austin is chipping in 9.4 points and team-high 1.7 assists.

SERIES WITH UMBC: 
Maine has won 12 of its last 16 meetings against the Retrievers and lead the all-time series, 28-16. The teams have split the last five meetings, with each team winning on its home court over that five game stretch. Maine is 10-9 on the road against UMBC and haven't won in Baltimore since Feb. 29, 2020. 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. Earlier this season, Maine defeated UMBC 58-43 behind 19 points and 11 rebounds from Adrianna Smith. Asta Blauenfeldt and Sarah Talon each added 13 points in the victory as the Black Bears held UMBC to just 29.3 percent from the field. The game featured seven lead changes.

-UMaine-