Maine used a 15-0 fourth quarter run on Saturday afternoon, and earned a hard fought 67-61 America East women’s basketball win over UNH on Skip Chappelle Court at Memorial Gymnasium in Orono.
The Wildcats led 54-45 with 8:49 left in the game on a layup by Lucia Melero, but the Black Bears then ran off 15 straight points over the next 5:19 taking the lead for good on a pair of free throws by Adrianna Smith. After UNH cut it to a single point (60-59) with 57 seconds left on a three-pointer from Eva DeChent, Asta Blauenfeldt responded with a long one from behind the arc 30 seconds later. Smith made 4-4 from the line over the final 14 seconds to ice the victory and guarantee Maine at least a top four finish in the conference and a home playoff game.
DeChent had 26 points (10-21 FG, 2-4 three-pointers) to lead UNH in the loss. The Wildcats drop to 8-19 and 2-12 in America East. Smith filled up the stat sheet once again in the win for the Black Bears with 35 points (12-26 FG, 2-4 three-pointers, 9-9 FT), 14 rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Sarah Talon added 13 points and six rebounds, while Lala Woods also put in 10 points. Maine is now 15-12 and 10-4 in conference play and will host Albany on Thursday night at 6 p.m.
Photo courtesy of UMaine Athletics
