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Senior forward Katie Whittier and junior guard Ashley Underwood had career nights and head coach Ann McInerney recorded her first win at UMaine, as the Black Bears women’s basketball team rolled to a 70-35 victory over Rider University on Friday night.
All 11 UMaine players recorded points on the night.
“This is a great feeling,” said McInerney. “I hope they’re all like this.”
Whittier scored a career-high 15 points on 7-for-9 shooting and pulled down a career-high 13 rebounds, recording her first ever double-double.
“No one deserves it more than she does,” said McInerney. “She’s been extremely coachable and she’s getting better day after day.”
Underwood also had a career-high in points, knocking down six 3-pointers en route to 22 points. Her six three’s tied the UMaine single-game record, a mark she also reached last season against Stony Brook.
The Black Bears jumped out to a quick 9-0 lead in the game’s opening three minutes behind two Underwood baskets. UMaine shot 41 percent and led 34-13 at the end of the first half. The Bear’s defense also turned in a solid performance, as it limited Rider to just 13 percent shooting from the field. UMaine held to Broncs without a field goal during a 10-minute stretch and forced 12 turnovers.
“We didn’t have a scouting report on them, but we went in knowing that our defense was going to have to be our cornerstone for getting the job done,” said McInerney.
“Once we got into that scoring rut we were in trouble,” said Rider’s second-year head coach Tori Harrison.
Underwood opened the second half with three straight long-range jumpers as the Black Bears went on a 12-3 run in the first two minutes.
Senior forward Abby Schrader scored seven points and had six rebounds while junior Bracey Barker contributed four points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals.
Red-shirted freshman Ameshia Bryant turned in a solid performance in her first collegiate game with two points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Three freshmen, Brittany Bowen, Brittany Boser and Colleen Kilmurray, scored and recorded significant minutes.
“It’s great when you have the opportunity to play the whole team. We’ve been preaching from the beginning it’s team first,” said McInerney. “They all came in and contributed.”
Junior Monica Welborn and sophomore Janele Henderson each had a team-high 10 points for Rider University, who was without leading rebounder, junior Kara Borel who is still recovering from a concussion.
“We just didn’t compete,” said Harrison. “When you don’t do the little things, this is what you get.”
The Black Bears will return to action next Friday when they play host to the Dead River Company Classic at Alfond Arena. Maine will face Kennesaw State on Friday at 7:00 p.m., and then take on Dartmouth Saturday at 4:00 p.m.
