On Friday, Dec. 2, the University of Maine women’s basketball team fell during a tough contest to the visiting Princeton Tigers 65-51. This brings the Black Bears’ record to 3-5.
For Maine, second-year forward Adrianna Smith was the only player that had double-digit points with her 15 points on 5-9 shooting. The other top scorers for Maine were third-year guard Caroline Bornemann with nine and second-year guard Paula Gallego with eight. Both first-year guard Sarah Talon and second-year guard Sera Hodgson scored seven.
For Princeton, third-year guard Kaitlyn Chen led the Tigers in scoring, putting up 15 points. Chen was the iron woman for Princeton, playing 39 minutes. The other two players in double figures were fourth-year guard Julia Cunningham with 13 and fourth-year guard Grace Stone with 10.
Smith was the leading rebounder for Maine with 10, and for Princeton, third-year forward Ellie Mitchell pulled in 12 rebounds. Smith also led the team in assists with five, with third-year guard Olivia Rockwood dishing out three. Chen led the Tigers with five assists. Cunningham also had three assists.
The game was much closer than the score indicates. Maine was only down one going into halftime. The third quarter was the turning point of this game, with Princeton outscoring Maine 16-7. The Black Bears’ offense struggled and shot only 30% from the field during the quarter.
Ball security was a big problem for Maine, as they turned the ball over 18 times. Princeton scored 18 points off those turnovers, which was a deciding factor in the game. Maine’s defense was stifling in the first quarter, holding the Tigers to 5-15 shooting, but Princeton started to heat up and shot 56% for the rest of the game.
Maine has a quick turnaround as they travel to play 6-1 Rhode Island. They hope to end the mini-losing streak they are currently on.
(Stats accurate as of 12/2)
