The Albany Great Danes got a game high 21 points from Imani Tate, and forced 24 Maine turnovers, to claim a 66-50 victory in the America East Womens basketball championship game Friday evening at SEFCU Arena in Albany, New York.
It was the sixth straight league title for Albany (21-11). Albany has also now won 17 consecutive America East playoff games.
Maine got out to a quick start, using a 10-0 first quarter run to build a 16-4 lead, and led 16-6 after one quarter. Albany shot just 3-17 from the field in the opening 10 minutes.
A 13-2 Albany run to start the the second quarter would give the hosts their first lead at 19-18. Jessica Fequiere nailed a long three-pointer with seven seconds left before halftime to give Albany their biggest lead of the first half at 25-20. Maines Sigi Koizar was fouled on a three point attempt, and nailed two of three from the line with 0.3 seconds left to cut the lead to 25-22 at the half. The Black Bears shot just 1-11 from the floor in the quarter. Maine, who averaged 14 turnovers per game coming in, turned it over 13 times in the first half.
The first three minutes of the third quarter Albany once again used a run to extend the lead. A 10-2 spurt made it 35-24. Maine cut the lead to seven when Blanca Millan nailed three-pointers on two of the next three Maine possessions. The Great Danes once again had the answer, as an 8-0 run was ignited by back to back baskets by Tate, and a Tianna Jo Carter layup to make it 45-30.
Maine would twice get within 10 points in the final quarter, but got no closer in losing for the second consecutive season in the championship game to Albany.
Tate added five rebounds and five assists to her game high in points for Albany. Freshman guard MacKenzie Trpcic added 15 points (4-8 three point range), and six assists. Heather Forster added 10 points and four rebounds. The Great Danes outscored Maine 26-2 in points off turnovers. Albany will find out their opponent for the NCAA Tournament during the NCAA Womens selection show on Monday at 7 p.m. Last year Albany upset Florida in a first round game, before falling to Syracuse in the second round.
Koizar led Maine (18-16), with 14 points and five rebounds. Fanny Wadling added 13 points, six rebounds, and two assists. Millan also chipped in 11 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Maine will await word on any invites it may have for a NCAA postseason NIT tournament.
UME (18-16) 16 6 12 16- 50
ALB (20-11) 6 19 24 17- 66
