ORONO, Maine -- The Black Bears, winners of four of their last five, return home to host Bryant on National Girls and Women in Sports Celebration Day on Saturday at 1 p.m.

PROMOTIONS: 

• National Girls and Women in Sports Celebration Day: The Black Bears are excited to once again celebrate their annual National Girls and Women in Sports Celebration, presented by Bangor Savings Bank, Aroma Joe's, the Law Office of Joe Bornstein, and Hannaford. Prior to the game against Bryant, the Black Bears will host a structured interactive sports fair, led by Strong Girls United. Doors to the event open at 10:30 with the event kicking off at 11 a.m. For more information, click here.
• Postgame Autographs: Following Saturday's game, fans are invited to the court for a special meet-and-greet autograph session with the Black Bears.

Game 24 | Maine (12-11, 7-3 AE) vs. Bryant (16-7, 6-4)
Saturday, Feb. 7, 2025 | 1:00 P.M. | ESPN+/NESN | 92.9 FM
Skip Chappelle Court | Orono, Maine

LAST TIME OUT:
ORONO, Maine -- Following a career-high 26 point effort, Asta Blauenfeldt led the Black Bears with a game-high 21 points as the University of Maine women's basketball team snapped Vermonts 19-game home win streak with a 55-46 victory on Thursday afternoon.

Blauenfeldt finished 8-of-12 from the floor with four triples to go along with two steals while Adrianna Smith added her 11th double-double of the season with 17 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists. 

The Black Bears, who outscored Vermont 22-15 in the final quarter, held the Catamounts to just six points in the second quarter while forcing a total of 15 turnovers in the win.

A LOOK AT THE BLACK BEARS:
The Black Bears are looking for their third consecutive win after an impressive defensive effort on the road Thursday which saw them snap Vermont's 19-game home win streak. Maine continues to be led by Adrianna Smith who was recently named one of 10 selected to the mid-season list for the Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year award list. Smith, who has 11 double-doubles this season including in her last two outings, currently leads the America East in scoring (21.3), rebounding (9.6) and assists (4.8) and is riding an 18-game double-digit scoring streak. Smith, who ranks 13th in the country in scoring average, is averaging 25.2 points per game in conference only action and has recorded 25 or more points nine times including in three of her last five outings. Asta Blauenfeldt, who is averaging 23.5 points per game with 10 triples in her last two outings, ranks 13th in the league in scoring (12.4) and fifth in triples made per game at 2.1. Sarah Talon, who has posted double-digit scoring efforts in six of her last nine outings, ranks 18th in the conference in rebounding (4.6). In conference action, Maine leads the league in scoring at 68.5 points per game in league games with a league-leading 46.9 percent clip from the floor. Maine, who has a +6.20 turnover margin in league games, has won the turnover battle in nine of its 10 conference contests.

A LOOK AT BRYANT:
Bryant, 8-4 on the road this season, will be playing its third consecutive road game with wins at New Hampshire (51-45) and at UAlbany (50-44) over the past week. Bryant, which currently sits one spot behind Maine in fourth in the America East standings, ranks fourth in the league in scoring (65.6) and second in the conference and eighth nationally in scoring defense allowing just 54.4 points per game. The Bulldogs are led offensively by Mia Mancini who ranks 12th in the league in scoring (12.6). Mancini ranks second in the conference with 2.1 triples made per game and third at 4.2 assists. Nia Scott, who has eight double-doubles in the season, is adding 11.4 points and ranks third in the conference at 8.4 rebounds per game. 

SERIES WITH BRYANT: 
Maine, which had its nine-game win streak over the Bulldogs snapped last year, and Bryant will meet for the 17th time. Maine currently holds an 11-5 edge in the all-time series and have won nine of the last 11. However, the Black Bears have dropped the last two decisions in the series including a 82-73 decision earlier this year at Bryant. Maine is 11-5 at home against the Bulldogs and have won in six in a row on its home court. Bryant has not defeated the Black Bears in Maine since 2011. The two teams first met in 2010, a 75-66 road victory for the Black Bears. The teams split the first six meetings of the all-time series. 

-UMaine-