The University of Maine Black Bears women’s basketball team found out on Monday afternoon that they’ll be headed to Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts to take on the Boston College Eagles in the first round of the WNIT on Thursday night at 7 p.m.
Boston College (19-11) is out of the ACC, and finished seventh in that conference this season and lost an opening round game in their ACC Tournament. Maine (20-11) is coming off a disappointing 56-47 home loss to the Albany Great Danes in the America East Championship game on Friday and gained a spot in the NIT by winning the regular season conference title. The Black Bears, who have won 14 of their last 15 games, are 2-3 on the road this season against non-league opponents and went 9-0 against America East foes.
Boston College is led by Cameron Swartz and Taylor Soule. Swartz averages 16.4 points per game and 4.5 rebounds, while Soule averages 15.4 ppg and 5.1 rebounds. Maine has been led by America East Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year junior guard Anne Simon, fifth year senior forward Maeve Carroll, and sophomore guard Alba Orois. The teams have three common opponents that they played this season in Boston University, Providence, and Albany. The Eagles beat Providence and Albany but lost to BU, while the Black Bears beat the Terriers and lost to the Friars and went 2-1 against the Great Danes. The winner of Thursdays game will face either Rhode Island or Quinnipiac in the second round.
