Sophie Weckstrom knocked down 6 three pointers in the Black Bears game at North Carolina on Thursday afternoon. Photo coutesy of Anthony Delmonaco.
Chapel Hill, North Carolina- The University of Maine women’s basketball rallied from an early 15 point deficit and a 13 point second half hole to take a late three point lead in the fourth quarter, only to have it end in heartbreaking fashion as Stephanie Watts buried a three pointer as the buzzer sounded to lift the North Carolina Tar Heels to a 59-58 victory over Maine on Thursday afternoon in front of 1,732 fans at Carmichael Arena.
Playing against their second Atlantic Coast Conference team in the past three games and in their final non-conference game of the season, Maine started sluggish. UNC raced to a 15-8 lead after one quarter which they eventually would push up to a 25-10 lead halfway through the second period. Maine would cut the lead to 31-25 at halftime finishing the half on a 15-6 run. The Tar Heels would again extend the lead to as many as 13 midway through the third quarter and would take a 10 point lead into the final period.
Maine however would catch fire in the final quarter going on a 15-4 run to start the period to take their first lead at 50-49. Sophie Weckstrom would nail a three pointer to start the run and would make two more during the comeback, her last with 3:29 left to give the Bears a 1 point edge. The teams would swap leads three more times in the contest. Sigi Koizar would convert on a three point play with 49 seconds left to give Maine a 54-53 advantage and would also convert two foul shots 30 seconds later to up the Bears lead to 3 only to have Watts tie it back up with a three pointer with only 15 seconds to play. Koizar would cut hard to the hoop for a basket that put the Black Bears back up 58-56 with 5.7 seconds left. After Chantelle Charles forced a jump ball, the Tar Heels had the possession arrow and one more chance with just 2.1 seconds left. From the baseline under their own basket the Heels got the ball to Xylina McDaniel in the high post, who sent a one touch pass to Watts in the corner who nailed the three as time expired.
Maine (9-6) was led by Koizar who had 21 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Weckstrom finished with 18 points on a career-high 6 three pointers while Mikaela Gustaffson had a double double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. The Black Bear shot only 34.5% (20-58) from the field but did knock in 10-26 from three point land (38.5%). Maine hit 8-10 at the free throw line and committed 16 turnovers. UNC (10-5) was led by Watts with 18 points while Hillary Summers also had a double double with 10 points 11 rebounds.
Maine will now head into America East play beginning next Wednesday night when they travel to Burlington, Vermont to face the Catamounts at 7 p.m.
Line score
Maine 8 17 10 23- 58
UNC 15 16 14 14- 59
