ORONO, Maine -- Maine looks to stretch its season-long win streak out to five-straight when it travels to meet NJIT on Saturday at noon in the 13th meeting in the all-time series.
The Black Bears have won three-straight against NJIT including an 86-67 decision earlier this year.
Game 26 | Maine (14-11, 9-3 AE) at NJIT (15-10, 6-6)
Saturday, Feb. 14, 2025 | 12:00 P.M. | ESPN+ | GoBlackBears.com
Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center | Newark, N.J.
LAST TIME OUT:
BALTIMORE, Md. --
Adrianna Smith registered 23 of her game-high 25 points in the second half to help guide the Black Bears (14-11, 9-3) to their fourth-straight win as they held on for a 56-55 victory at UMBC (11-12, 6-5) on Thursday evening.
Smith added 13 rebounds to her game-high scoring effort to notch her 13th double-double of the season. With the 25 point total, Smith moved past Emily Ellis and into eighth on Maine's all-time scoring list with 1,704 points.
Asta Blauenfeldt added nine points with a trio of triples while
Lala Woods chipped in a balanced effort with six points, five rebounds, and three steals.
For the 11th time in its last 12 conference games, the Black Bears won the turnover battle as the visitors finished the game 19-of-49 from the floor (38.8) with seven triples.
A LOOK AT THE BLACK BEARS:
The Black Bears are riding a four-game win streak after victories at Vermont and over Bryant last week and a most recent 56-55 triumph at UMBC on Thursday. Maine is averaging a league-high 67.1 points per game in conference play with a +9.3 scoring margin. The Black Bears are also posting a league-best +5.92 turnover margin as they have won the turnover battle in 11 of 12 conference outings with single-digit turnover totals in three of the last four games.
Adrianna Smith, who has posted double-doubles in each of her last four games, leads the America East in scoring (21.8), rebounding (9.8), assists (4.5), and double-doubles (13). Her 21.7 points per game check in 12th among the nation's leaders in scoring. She recently moved into eighth on Maine's all-time scoring list with 1,704 points. Smith, riding a 20-game double-digit scoring stream, has posted 20+ points in six of her last seven.
Asta Blauenfeldt, who has recorded double-figure scoring in three of her last four, is averaging 12.3 points per game (12th) and ranks fifth in the conference in both three-point percentage (38.1) and three-point field goals made per game (2.0).
Sarah Talon has posted double-digits in three of her last six and ranks 16th in the conference at 4.6 rebounds per game.
A LOOK AT NJIT:
The Highlanders, 2-1 in their last three, are coming off a 55-47 win over New Hampshire on Thursday. NJIT enters with the third ranked scoring offense in the conference (66.5) and the eighth ranking defense, allowing 64.3 points per game. NJIT, averaging 20.6 attempts from three-point range per outing, ranks second in the league at 6.6 triples per game. Alejandra Zuniga ranks second, being
Adrianna Smith, among the league-leaders in scoring at 18.5 points per game. Olivia Kulyk is adding 15.3 points and leads the America East with 2.5 triples made per outing.
SERIES WITH NJIT:
Maine and NJIT meet for the 13th time in history after the Highlanders joined the America East in the 2020-21 season. Maine owns the all-time series, 8-4, after defeating the Highlanders 86-67 in Orono in January. In that win,
Adrianna Smith posted a double-double with 30 points and 13 rebounds to go along with eight assists while
Sarah Talon added 19 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
Asta Blauenfeldt hit four triples and finished with 18 points. The Black Bears outscored NJIT 20-8 in the final quarter to seal the win. The Black Bears have won six of the last seven meetings and each of the last three. Maine is 3-1 all-time on the road against the Highlanders. 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-
