On Feb. 24, the University of Maine Women’s Basketball team played the New Jersey Institute of Technology. The Black Bears looked to end their road trip with a win. The Black Bears hoped to sweep the Highlanders this season. The Black Bears won against NJIT at home one month ago, 81-39. The Black Bears won on the road in Newark, 72-46.
Third-year Adrianna Smith, fifth-year Olivia Rockwood, and fifth-year Anne Simon led the Black Bears in this game. Smith, the reigning America East Player of the Year, ended the game with 25 points and three steals recorded. Anne Simon ended the game with 12 points recorded, another great asset in the win. Second-year Sarah Talon ended the game with eight points and one steal recorded. Rockwood ended the game with six points and two steals recorded. Fifth-year Caroline Bornemann had seven points and two steals recorded. Another asset for the game was Paula Gallego. Gallego tied Talon with eight points this game, and one steal was recorded.
In the first quarter, the Black Bears started the quarter more dominant than the Highlanders. Finding their rhythm pretty quickly, Smith started the Black Bears off with a layup one minute into the game.
Towards the end of the first, the Highlanders took a more defensive playstyle, which caused the Black Bears to commit more fouls and lose the rhythm they had at the beginning of the game.
With three minutes left in the quarter, second-year Jaycie Christopher pulled a three-pointer. The quarter ended 14-13, with Highlanders first-year Marissa Gingrinch putting up a layup.
In the second quarter, the Black Bears started stronger than in the first quarter. Talon led the quarter and was a solid asset to the team. Talon had gotten a three-pointer countered by a layup by Highlanders fourth-year Aria Myers. The momentum continued as Smith sank a three-pointer, and Simon followed up with a layup. Bornemann further contributed to maintaining the Black Bears’ lead with a successful jump shot.
Christopher scored another three-pointer, and the quarter ended with a layup from Talon. The Black Bears end the second quarter 34-27.
In the third quarter, the Black Bears were quick to get going and kept the momentum that was starting to get going at the end of the second quarter. Smith put up a layup, extending the Black Bears’ lead. Highlanders fifth-year Kenna Squier put up a layup to try to catch up with the Black Bears. A second later, Talon followed up with a layup, maintaining the lead. Anderson, from the Highlanders, added to the score.
The third period was an exchange of layups, three-pointers and fouls. It ended 56-36, and by the end, the Black Bears had regained their momentum.
In the fourth quarter, one minute, Smith made a layup and a jump shot within 30 seconds of each other. The Black Bears’ strongest quarter was the fourth; the defense had made adjustments, and fewer mistakes were made in the quarter. The Highlanders were the stronger team at the start of the quarter. Gallego, with a good jump shot, helped push the lead.
In the last minute, Borenmann made a three-pointer that secured the game 72-46.
The Black Bears are tied for first in America East with University at Albany with a record of 12-2 in conference play. The Black Bears will be home next week against Binghamton University on Feb. 29 senior night will be on March 2 against the University at Albany.
