Sigi Koizar (#42, above) shown here in a December 18th game against Clemson hit a career milestone Wednesday night and helped Maine extend their home winning streak. Photo courtesy of UMaine Athletics.
BANGOR- It was a great night for the University of Maine Black Bears women’s basketball team. Not only was Coach Richard Barron celebrating a birthday but his junior point guard Sigi Koizar reached the 1,000 point plateau to help Maine defeat the visiting Vermont Catamounts 63-51 in a America East game played before 1,666 fans at the Cross Insurance Center.
Koizar finished with 21 points to help Maine win their 16th consecutive home game. Koizar became just the 20th player in program history to reach the milestone. Koizar who entered the game only 4 points away, swished one of her four three pointers with just over 4:30 left in the opening quarter to give her career point numbers 1,001 and 1,002.
Maine opened up a close first half by taking a 29-18 lead with just 3:45 left in the second quarter but a pair of late three pointers by the Catamounts closed the gap to 31-24 at halftime.
Maine again regained control late in the third period, and when Koizar opened the fourth quarter with another three pointer followed by a Lauren Bodine jumpshot with 8:30 left, the Bears had jumped to a 52-35 advantage and put a wrap to their 17th victory of the season overall.
Along with with the 21 points, Koizar had 3 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal. Liz Wood filled up the stat sheet with 11 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals and a blocked shot. Bodine had 7 points while Mikaela Gustaffson and Anna Heise had 6 each.
Vermont (7-15, 2-7 America East) was led Andreana Thomas who had 14 points and 6 rebounds. Candice Wright and Sydney Smith posted 7 points a piece.
Maine, now 17-7 and 8-1 in America East and now winners of 5 straight, will now hit the road to face UMBC on Saturday at 1 p.m. Vermont heads home to face the America East leading Albany Great Danes Saturday at 2 p.m. in Burlington.
VER 12 12 11 16- 51
UME 15 16 16 16- 63
