The University of Maine women’s basketball team allowed the first basket of the game Tuesday, then took over and never led by less than 10 points on their way to a 74-57 non-conference basketball win over Bryant at Chace Athletic Center in Smithfield, Rhode Island.
Maine (2-0) led as many as 11 in the first quarter, and by 15 in the second led by the hot early shooting by Blanca Millan. The visitors held a 38-28 halftime lead. Bryant (2-1) got within 10 twice in the third quarter, but the Black Bears kept extending the lead eventually stretching it to 19 in the fourth quarter. Maine starts the season at 2-0 for first time since the 2013-14 campaign.
Millan finished with 23 points and nine rebounds for the Bears. Tanesha Sutton added 17 points and five rebounds, while Fanny Wadling had her second career double double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Sydney Halloway led the Bulldogs with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Stephanie Lesko added 13 points, while Kierra Palmer had 11. Maine shot 49 percent from the floor, and won the turnover battle 17-9, outscoring Bryant 16-6 on the points off the miscues.
Maine will host former coach Joanne-Palombo McCallie and her Duke Blue Devils out of the ACC on Thursday night at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 pm, with a special ceremony planned for former Black Bear player Stacey Porrini Clinigan who lost her battle with cancer back on March 27th at the age of 42.
