Maine forward Maeve Carroll goes up for a shot as she is defended by Hartford forward Sierra Smith during the third quarter of America East women’s basketball action at the Cross Insurance Center on Thursday, January 2, 2020. Hawks guard Kaela Dothard looks on. Photo by Anthony DelMonaco
BANGOR, Maine- Four Black Bears scored in double figures on Thursday night, led by Kelly Fogarty who had 23 points as Maine won their America East women’s basketball conference opener with an 87-73 win over the Hartford Hawks at the Cross Insurance Center.
A closely contested first quarter saw Maine build the biggest lead of the opening 10 minutes of four points. Hartford (0-14, 0-1 America East) took their only lead of the game 15-13 when Carmen Villalobos hit a three-pointer. The game was tied at 15-15 as the teams headed for the second. A 9-3 Black Bear run helped by baskets from Maeve Carroll, Anne Simon, and a three-pointer from Anna Kahelin helped the hosts build their biggest lead of the first half at 35-25. Maine led 37-31 at the break.
The third quarter was all about Maddy McVicar. The senior guard who didn’t attempt a shot in the first half, exploded for 13 points in the quarter as the Black Bears scored 31 points and went up as many as 23 after the Hawks had cut it to four early on. McVicar hit all three of her three-point attempts on the night in that third quarter. Maine held a 17 point lead after three. McVicar said, “You know that was a halftime adjustment she (coach Amy Vachon) told us we had to make. She said Maddy you can’t shoot 0-0, so I came out shooting and got lucky I guess”. 14 points was the final margin and the closest Hartford would get after the big third quarter, as the Black Bears led by 19-23 points for most of the final 10 minutes. Head coach Amy Vachon said, “I thought offensively we played really well. Did alot of nice things offensively and alot of nice performances from alot of different people. Defensively we have to be better. Fouling too much and letting them penetrate. I am really proud of our kids, alot of really good things we can build on”.
Fogarty shot 8-12 from the floor (7-11 on three-pointers), and added five rebounds to her game-high point total in the Maine win. McVicar ended with a career-high 20 points and also added four rebounds on 7-8 shooting. Carroll had 18 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. Simon also got into double figures with 15 points. The Black Bears are now 5-10 overall, and 1-0 in America East in defeating the team they have faced and beaten in the last two America East championship games. The 87 points were the most this season against Division I competition. Jordan McLemore led Hartford with 18 points and six assists. Sierra Smith had 16 points and 13 rebounds. Jada Lucas added 10 points. The Hawks committed 22 turnovers, while the Bears only had 10. Maine hits the road on Sunday afternoon to face the Stony Brook Seawolves on Long Island, NY at 2 p.m.
Maine guard Maddy McVicar hits a reverse layup during the third quarter of the Black Bears America East opener with Hartford on Thursday, January 2, 2020 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. Hawks guard Carmen Villalobos defends on the play. Maine won the game 87-73. Photo by Anthony DelMonaco
