The University of Maine men’s and women’s basketball teams are both on the tail end of their non-conference schedule, before America East action begins at the beginning of January.
The Black Bears men’s team, currently 8-5 and on a two game win streak, has two non-conference tilts left. Maine travels to Long Island, NY this Sunday to battle CAA opponent Stony Brook, before taking on Patriot League member Boston University at the Pit on Skip Chappelle Court in Orono on Sunday, December 29. The team has seen some great guard play from a veteran starting group led by senior AJ Lopez (13.9 points per game), senior Quion Burns (13.1 ppg, 6.3 rebounds per game), and graduate Kellen Tynes (12.1 ppg, 5.0 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 3.0 steals). The other two starters junior guard Jaden Clayton (6.6 ppg, 4.1 assists, 3.9 rebounds), and junior forward Keelan Steele (6.4 ppg, 2.9 rebounds) have also played solidly. Transfer players in senior guard Christopher Mantis (8.1 ppg, 3.1 rebounds, 40% three-point percentage), and junior forward Killian Gribben (6.3 ppg, 2.7 rebounds) have supplied offense off the bench for head coach Chris Markwood. Overall, Maine is averaging 73.4 points per game and shooting 47% from the floor. The Black Bears have struggled from beyond the three-point arc (31%), but have made it up on the defensive end of the court forcing 15.3 turnovers by their opponents and winning that margin by 4.0 per game. They come up with an average of 9.2 steals per contest led by Tynes. Maine opens America East play on Saturday, January 4 on the road at Bryant University. The Black Bears were picked to finish fourth in the league in the pre-season coaches poll, the highest since 2010-11 when they were selected third.
Graduate starting guard Kellen Tynes dribbles up the court during an 80-55 Maine men’s basketball win over Holy Cross on November 24 at the Pit on Skip Chappelle Court in Orono. The 8-5 Black Bears have two non-conference games remaining, before opening America East play on the road against Bryant on January 4. Photo by Chris Lessner
The Maine women’s team, currently 3-7 and on a three game slide, plays their final home non-conference contest of the season on Saturday when they host in-state Division III opponent Bates College on Skip Chappelle Court. They will then head to Hackensack, New Jersey after Christmas to compete in the Fairleigh Dickinson University Christmas Classic on Saturday, December 28 against the host Knights, before finishing the non-conference slate the next day at FDU against Coppin State. The Black Bears are playing without 2023-24 America East First Team selection Adrianna Smith, and former Maine High School Gatorade Player of the Year in freshman Maddie Fitzpatrick who were both lost for the season with injuries in the pre-season. The two are expected to be fully healthy and returning to the team for 2025-26. Graduate starting guard Caroline Bornemann has led the way for Maine so far averaging 11.8 points per game and 7.4 rebounds. Junior guard Sarah Talon (9.1 ppg, 3.9 rebounds), junior guard Asta Blauenfeldt (7.7 ppg, 2.5 assists, 41% three-point percentage), senior guard Paula Gallego (6.9 ppg, 3.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists), and graduate guard Olivia Rockwood (5.5 ppg) round out the starting group for five-time and reigning America East Coach of the Year Amy Vachon. Sophomore forward Caroline Dotsey (8.1 ppg, 2.6 rebounds, 39% three-point percentage) has made an impact off the Black Bears bench, including a career-high 26 points in a road win over Stonehill College on November 26. Maine is averaging 56.4 points per game, and giving up 65.8 (-9.2). They’re shooting just under 40% overall, but just 30% from three-point range. Maine opens America East play on Thursday, Jan 2 on the road at UMass-Lowell. The Black Bears were picked to win the league in the pre-season coaches poll, after capturing the championship last season by beating Vermont in the title game.
Members of the University of Maine women’s basketball team get ready to go prior to their season opening 65-51 win over La Salle at the Pit on Skip Chappelle Court in Orono on November 4. The Black Bears have three non-conference games remaining, before opening up America East play on the road on January 2 against UMass-Lowell. Photo by Chris Lessner
