On Skip Chappelle Court at Memorial Gymnasium in Orono- Maine women’s basketball team got off to a hot start, and then held on for a 74-67 America East win over Binghamton in the regular season finale on Senior Day on Saturday afternoon. The victory clinches the #2 seed for the Black Bears in the conference playoffs.
Maine held Binghamton to 28% shooting in the first half, while shooting 56% themselves (18-32) to build a 43-25 lead at the break. The Bearcats wouldn’t go away quiet, and a three-pointer by Bella Pucci pulled them within four with 29 seconds remaining in the game. The Black Bears would hold on through hitting six free throws down the stretch.
Pucci led Binghamton in the loss with a game-high 24 points (7-10 three-pointers). Kendall Bennett added 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Meghan Casey had 10 points. The Bearcats record goes to 18-11 and 10-6 in America East. They will be the #3 seed and will host #6 Bryant in the quarterfinal playoffs. Adrianna Smith recorded her seventh straight double double in the Maine win with 21 points, 17 rebounds, six assists, and three steals. No student athlete male or female in the history of the league had ever recorded 1,000+ points, 1,000+ rebounds, and 400+ assists in a career until now as Smith has reached those numbers (1,804 pts, 1,010 reb, 418 assists). Lala Woods (4-7 three-pointers) and Sarah Talon each contributed 18 points. Talon also grabbed seven rebounds. The Black Bears finish the regular season on a three game win streak at 17-12 and 12-4 in the conference. The seniors Smith and Talon along with Asta Blauenfeldt were honored in a ceremony in playing their final regular season home game, but the home games will continue for at least one more game as Maine will host #7 UNH on Thursday night at 6 p.m. in the quarterfinals.
Down at the Events Center in Vestal, NY- Binghamton put four players in double figures and led from start to finish in a 74-67 America East men’s basketball win over Maine.
The Bearcats started off hot shooting 52% from the floor in the first half and led 34-27 at the break. It seemed Binghamton had put it away as their advantage grew to 63-48 with 8:21 left, but the Black Bears came charging back. A 14-0 Maine run cut it to 63-62 on a Ryan Mabrey three-pointer with 3:15 to play. The hosts were able to hold on though as they made key plays down the stretch including a pair of three-pointers by Jackson Benigni.
Jeremiah Quigley had a game-high 24 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the Binghamton win. Wes Peterson added 15 points, Benigni had 14, and Jake Blackburn contributed 11 points. The Bearcats improve to 8-23 and 4-12 in America East. Mekhi Gray led Maine with 19 points and five rebounds. Mabrey (4-7 three-pointers) and Ace Flagg had 12 points a piece, while Keelan Steele put in 10 points and grabbed nine rebounds. The Black Bears fall to 8-22 and 6-9 in conference play, and will conclude the regular season at home on Tuesday when they take on UMass-Lowell at 6 p.m.
Photos courtesy of UMaine Athletics
