The University of Maine women’s basketball team bounced back from its loss at the University of Maryland Baltimore County on Thursday with a 72-46 America East victory over the New Jersey Institute of Technology in New Jersey on Saturday afternoon.
Junior forward Adrianna Smith notched her 20th double-double of the season with 25 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Black Bears, who are now 19-9 overall and 12-2 in conference play. NJIT fell to 10-17 and 2-12, respectively.
UMaine remained in a first-place tie with Albany (23-4, 12-2) and the two teams will collide on Saturday, March 2 in the regular season finale at the Memorial Gym in Orono.
Meanwhile, defending champ Vermont was upset by Bryant 57-52 after thumping Albany on Thursday 67-35. Vermont fell to 11-4 in the conference with a game at UMass Lowell remaining.
Smith also had four assists, three steals and three blocked shots for the Black Bears, who broke the game open with an 18-5 run in the third period triggered by a pair of 3-pointers by senior guard Olivia Rockwood.
UMaine had led by just seven at the half.
Graduate student guard Anne Simon had 12 points and 12 rebounds to go with four assists.
Junior Paula Gallego had eight points and three rebounds; sophomore Sarah Talon produced eight points and two rebounds and senior Caroline Bornemann finished with seven points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Rockwood and sophomore Jaycie Christopher each tallied six points.
NJIT received nine points, five rebounds and two blocked shots from Trinity Williams. Kenna Squier and Marissa Gingrich had seven points apiece and combined for five rebounds. Madilyn Dogs had six points and four rebounds and Aria Myers had six points and three rebounds.
The UMaine women will entertain Binghamton, 12-15 and 7-7 in the conference, on Thursday night at 6. A win will ensure UMaine will finish first or second in the conference.
NJIT will visit UMBC (10-17, 6-9) for a Thursday game at 7.
