In the men’s game at Skip Chappelle Court inside Memorial Gymnasium in Orono- Bryant ended the game on a 7-1 run, and took the conference opener over Maine 56-51.
The Black Bears were ice cold in the first half, shooting 22% (1-8 three-pointers), while also committing 11 turnovers as the Bulldogs had a nine point lead at the break. Maine battled back though. Down 45-34, they would go on a 16-4 run and jumped in front 50-49 with 3:28 remaining on a three point play by Logan Carey. Ashley Sims II regained the Bryant lead with a layup 30 seconds later, and the hosts would turn the ball over twice and went 0-5 shooting over the final few minutes as the visitors claimed the victory. The Bulldogs had four players score in double figures in the win, led by Aaron Davis with 13 points. Sims II, Ty Tabales, and Quincy Allen had 12 points a piece. Allen and Sims II both recorded double doubles with 11 and 10 rebounds respectively. Bryant, the defending league champion, is now 5-10 (1-0 America East). TJ Biel led Maine with 20 points, seven rebounds, and two blocked shots. The Black Bears ended up 31.6% from the field (18-57, 2-18 three-pointers) and also hit just 13-24 from the foul line in dropping to 2-14 (0-1 AE). Maine travels to UMBC for their next game next Thursday night at 6 p.m.
In the women’s game at the Chace Athletic Center in Smithfield, Rhode Island- Bryant outscored Maine 31-22 in the fourth quarter and came away with an 82-73 win in America East action.
The Bulldogs shot a scorching 91.7% from the floor in the first quarter, and bolted out to a 26-12 lead after 10 minutes. The Black Bears pushed back in the second and would end the period on a run of 11-3 to cut the deficit to 36-32 at the break. Maine took their first lead since very early in the contest with two free throws by Adrianna Smith late in the third quarter. The score was still tied 51-51 heading into the fourth. Smith gave the guests their final advantage with a jumper with 9:23 left. Bryant took over from there, using a 15-6 run to push ahead for good and win their fifth straight game. The Bulldogs (12-3, 2-0 America East) had five players in double figures led by Mia Mancini with 19 points (3-6 three-pointers). Nia Scott and Maranda Nyborg both put in 16 points, while Izzy Adams and Martina Boba had 14 and 11 points respectively. Scott had a double double as she also hauled in 11 rebounds. Smith led the Black Bears as she recorded 27 points, five rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Sarah Talon added 15 points, six rebounds, and two assists. Asta Blauenfeldt also was in double figures with 14 points. Smith has now tied Liz Wood (2012-2016) for 10th all-time on the schools women’s scoring list with 1,462 points. Maine drops to 6-9 (1-1 AE) in having their three game win streak snapped, and will take on UMBC next Thursday night in the home conference opener on Skip Chappelle Court in Orono at 6 p.m.
Photos courtesy of UMaine Athletics
