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The University of Maine women’s basketball team will head to University of Rhode Island this weekend, after splitting games with the University of Akron and Kent State University last weekend.
The Black Bears returned to Orono Monday evening on a sour note, having dropped a close game with Kent State in overtime after surrendering a 14-point lead in the second half.
UMaine will look to get back to its winning ways when they travel to Kingston, R.I. this Saturday to face the 6-1 Rams.
The University of Rhode Island women’s basketball team had its six-game winning streak snapped by the University of Massachusetts last Monday. The six-game win streak was the longest in school history for the Rams, who compete in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
Despite competing in different conferences, the Rams and the Black Bears have faced similar opponents. Rhode Island opened its season with a 53-39 win over Kent State University, a team UMaine lost to in overtime Sunday. Like UMaine, the Rams also defeated preseason opponents Istrobanka Locomotiva Slavia, and the Nor’Easter Storm by large margins of victory.
There are other ways that these teams are similiar, mainly that neither team boasts many seniors. URI does not have a senior on the roster and UMaine has only one in Ellen Geraghty.
Like the University of Maine, URI also boasts a strong recruiting class, which includes six freshman. Head coach Boe Pearman has relied on strong play from the newcomers to help the team in its best start in school history.
In the post, sophomore Katie Stailing, from Bath, has shown her presence early in the season. Stailing leads the team in rebounding, averaging 8.4 rebounds per game. She is joined by freshman forwards Denise King and Abby Lipskis. Both freshman have seen considerable playing time and, like Stailing, are key components on the boards. The frontcourt, though young, has played well, and has been supported by an even stronger backcourt.
URI’s backcourt is anchored by junior guard, Shayla Johnson. Johnson is the Rams’ most powerful offensive player, and recently was named the Atlantic-10 Player of the Week Dec. 1, after averaging 21 points, five rebounds and six steals for the week.
Along with her offensive ability, Johnson is also a force under the basket. She is a capable shot-blocker, and despite her height of only 5-feet 10-inches, she was able to average 0.52 blocks per game last year, good enough for 13th place in the Atlantic-10 Conference.
She is joined in the backcourt by fellow classmate, Denise King. King ranks second in team scoring, averaging 13.9 points per game behind Johnson’s 15 points per game. Both juniors have taken a leadership role, and have helped to settle the newcomers by their offensive playmaking abilities.
Both teams include offensive weapons, but another similarity that cannot be overlooked is defensive emphasis. The Black Bears have had their ups and downs defensively this year, but they also have been able to execute a variety of defenses, and have been successful in causing turnovers.
The Rams, however, are known for their strong defense. Their athleticism and quickness has led to many turnovers, and the Black Bears must take care of the ball to make be successful against a URI team that has averaged 12.9 steals and causes 27.9 turnovers per game this season.
A win against Rhode Island will bring the Black Bears back to a .500 record of 3-3, but the win will also be a great confidence booster when the Black Bears travel to Philadelphia, Pa. for the LaSalle Tournament Dec. 28 and 29. The Tournament includes LaSalle, Holy Cross and Robert Morris universities. The Black Bears will prime up for the tournament with a Dec. 22 contest with Bradley University in Peoria, Ill.
Bangor Daily News