On the 17th of February, the University of Maine Black Bears Women’s Basketball team achieved a thrilling victory over the University of Vermont Catamounts with a final score of 57-55 in Burlington. This success follows the Black Bears’ earlier win against the Catamounts with a score of 60-48 in Orono at the beginning of the season.
Despite the UVM Catamounts being selected as the America East conference preseason favourites this season after their previous America East win and the return of all five starters, the Black Bears secured a regular season sweep over Vermont with their recent triumph. Adrianna Smith, a third-year forward, excelled for the Black Bears, concluding the game with 16 points. Smith, who was the America East Player of the Year, is tied for third in the NCAA with 18 double-doubles. Although she narrowly missed achieving her 19th double-double on Saturday, she still made a significant contribution to the Black Bears’ victory with eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
The Catamounts had a strong start, leading 20-8 after the first quarter, with Andjela Matic, a second-year guard, making an impressive impact by scoring 11 points in the first quarter alone. However, the Black Bears, led by fifth-year guard Anne Simon, staged a comeback during the second quarter, gradually closing the gap. Simon, who has received six America East Player of the Week awards this season, scored 11 of her 16 points for the Black Bears in the second quarter and also recorded five steals during the game.
After halftime, the Black Bears adjusted their defensive strategy to restrict Vermont’s three-point shooting, ultimately disrupting their opponents’ rhythm. Second-year guard Sarah Talon played a pivotal role for the Black Bears in the second half, sparking an 11-2 run and scoring 12 of her 15 points in the third quarter. This effort allowed the Black Bears to dominate the third quarter with a score of 22-11, ultimately taking a 46-43 lead into the final quarter.
However, the Catamounts did not give up easily, opening the fourth quarter with a 5-0 run. Despite their efforts, turnovers plagued Vermont throughout the game, allowing the Black Bears to maintain a competitive edge. With Vermont’s fourth-year forward Anna Olson leaving the game due to a leg injury, the Black Bears managed to hold on to their lead and secure the victory.
This win sees the Black Bears leading the America East with a record of 11-1, claiming the top spot over the University of Albany, which stands at 10-1. Meanwhile, Vermont remains in third place in America East with a record of 10-3. The Black Bears will continue their road trip as they prepare to play two more away games next week against UMBC and NJIT.
The Black Bears’ victory over the Catamounts signifies a significant achievement in their season, setting the stage for an exciting and competitive run in the America East conference.