The Player of the Year continued to dominate on Thursday night for the University of Maine. Adrianna Smith poured in a game-high 35 points, while also recording her eighth straight double double as the #2 seeded Black Bears defeated #7 UNH 77-58 in the America East quarterfinals on Skip Chappelle Court at Memorial Gymnasium in Orono.
The last time the two teams met in Orono on February 21st, the Black Bears needed a 15-0 fourth quarter run to tame the Wildcats by six. There was no need for any fourth quarter drama on Thursday night. Maine never trailed and opened up a 16 point halftime lead by hitting 8-12 from the three-point arc in the opening 20 minutes, and then held UNH to just a single point over the first 7:37 of the third quarter to build a 26 point advantage in pulling away.
Eva DeChent led UNH in the loss with 28 points (9-14 FG), five rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one blocked shot. The Wildcats season ends with a final record of 10-20. Smith was 10-17 from the floor, 14-16 from the foul line, while also adding 15 rebounds, five assists, and three steals in the Maine win. Sarah Talon also made 6-8 shots (2-2 three-pointers) and contributed 16 points, while freshman Lala Woods put in 11 points (three 3-pointers). The Black Bears (18-12) will stay at home and host #3 Binghamton (19-11) on Monday night at 6 p.m. in the semifinal round with a trip to the conference title game on the line. #1 Vermont will be playing host to #4 UMBC in the other Monday semifinal.
Photo of Adrianna Smith in a game earlier this season courtesy of UMaine Athletics
