At the Kennedy Family Athletic Complex in Lowell, Massachusetts on Thursday night- Adrianna Smith dropped a career-high 37 points, and freshman Lala Woods knocked in two key three-pointers in the final 2:18 of the fourth quarter as Maine women’s basketball took the America East opener in comeback fashion over UMass-Lowell 73-65.
The Black Bears had two early leads, the last was 4-3 just over 2:30 into the first quarter. Maine though would not have another lead until halfway through the final period. The Riverhawks rode some very hot shooting, going 17-26 (65.4%) from the floor in the first half to take a 39-32 advantage to the break. They continued that into the third quarter, building their biggest lead of 43-32 on a layup by Anabel Latorre. The guests had the answer however, going on a run of 15-4 over the next 4:52 to tie it 47-47 on a jumper by Asta Blauenfeldt. Eight of those points were scored by Smith. UMass-Lowell jumped back into the lead heading into the fourth, and a layup by Maddie Rice made it 55-49 in favor of the hosts with 9:48 left to play. The Black Bears answered with a 12-4 run taking their first lead since early in the first period, capped off by a three point play by Smith and then a layup from the redshirt senior to make it 61-59 Maine with four minutes remaining. With the score tied at 63-63, the freshman Woods playing in just her third collegiate game knocked down a three-pointer with 2:18 left on the clock to give her team the advantage for good. She dialed up another one from long distance 39 seconds later, and a 4-4 effort from the foul line by Smith and Blauenfeldt in the final 54 seconds would sew up the road victory.
Rice had 20 points and six rebounds in the UMass-Lowell loss, while Jaini Edmonds added 16 points, four rebounds, and four assists. The Riverhawks drop to 6-8 on the season (0-1 America East) and will play at Albany on Saturday afternoon. Smith filled up the stat sheet in the win for Maine as she went 16-23 from the field and also had six rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one blocked shot. Her 37 points topped her previous career-high of 34 that she scored in a win over NJIT in January of 2023. Woods impressed with 17 points (6-11 field goals, 3-6 three-pointers), while also chipping in three rebounds and three steals. Blauenfeldt contributed 13 points. The Black Bears have now won three games in a row improving to 6-8 (1-0 AE) and will stay on the road to meet Bryant University in Rhode Island on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. The Bulldogs (11-3) have won four straight games including a 45-31 victory over UNH in their league opener on Thursday.
Photos courtesy of UMaine Athletics
