The players and head coach Amy Vachon should be very happy with what they have accomplished for the University of Maine Black Bears women’s basketball team over the first two games of the regular season. After a delay to play a game due to COVID-19 concerns, Maine finished off a two game non-conference sweep at the University of Rhode Island on Friday night by defeating the Rhode Island Rams 61-47. The Bears had opened the season with a 14 point win over Big East opponent Providence on Thursday afternoon.
Rhode Island (0-4), out of the Atlantic 10, scored the first basket and had a pair of leads on the night which were both in the first quarter. Their last lead was 6-5 on a three-pointer from Yanni Hendley. Maine took the lead for good when Dor Saar hit a three-pointer on the next possession, one of four from long distance in the first 10 minutes for the Black Bears. The visitors led by five at the end of one. The lead went to as much as 12 in the first half thanks to another three from Saar, as they held a 30-22 lead at halftime. The second half was more of the same as they built the advantage to as many as 19 early in the fourth quarter. The home standing Rams made one more run, getting within 11 twice in the last period but Maine held on for the win going to 2-0 in the early season.
Anne Simon led four players in double figures with 16 points and seven rebounds in the win. Saar finished with 14 points, three rebounds, and four assists. Millan had 12 points and seven rebounds, while Abbe Laurence also chipped in 10 points. Freshman Alba Orois was the only other scorer on the night with nine points and four assists. Emmanuelle Tahane had 11 points and six rebounds to lead Rhode Island. The Black Bears shot 47% from the floor and hit eight three-pointers (8-22), as compared to 38% shooting for the Rams who were 3-13 from the arc. Maine also outscored URI 20-8 on points off turnovers. The Black Bears are back in action next Sunday, December 20 at 12 p.m. when they travel to Northeastern to battle the Huskies in their final scheduled non-conference game.
