Black Bears Kick Off Conference Play with Victorious Streak Against UMass Lowell

LOWELL, Mass. — The women’s basketball squad from the University of Maine commenced their America East campaign with a 54-39 triumph against UMass Lowell on Thursday evening.

Maine kicked off conference action with a 1-0 record for the eighth year in a row, extending their all-time record to 23-2 versus the River Hawks, while the Black Bears stretched their winning streak over UMass Lowell to seven games.

Asta Blauenfeldt topped all scorers with 16 points, shooting 4-of-8 from three-point range, marking her fifth double-digit scoring performance in her last six games. Caroline Bornemann contributed 12 points and nine rebounds, recording the 600th of her career, while Olivia Rockwood shot 5-of-7 from the field to tally 12 points, six rebounds, and four steals.

Maine finished the evening shooting 20-of-43 (46.5%) overall with nine three-pointers while dominating the boards against the River Hawks, 32-24.

The Black Bears had an unhurried start offensively, falling behind 10-8 after the first quarter.

Nonetheless, Maine ignited their offense in the second quarter, connecting on 4-of-8 from beyond the arc, completing the period with 7-of-13 shooting while outscoring the River Hawks 18-10 during that span.

The Black Bears began the second quarter with a 12-2 run, thanks to two triples each from Blauenfeldt and Rockwood. Blauenfeldt’s three-pointer at 6:54 remaining in the half pushed Maine’s lead to eight.

Another second-quarter surge, a 6-0 run, gave Maine their largest advantage of the half at 26-14 following a layup from Caroline Dotsey on a second-chance opportunity.

UMass Lowell managed to trim the deficit to six at halftime, 26-20.

Bornemann’s three-pointer to kick off the second half sparked a rapid 5-0 run for Maine, as Rockwood scored off a fast break following a turnover, extending the lead into double digits at 31-20.

The River Hawks countered with a 7-0 run of their own, narrowing the margin to four with 1:38 left in the third.

Jaycie Christopher and Blauenfeldt responded for Maine, draining back-to-back three-pointers to bump Maine’s lead back up to ten.

UMass Lowell again pulled within six, but Maine finished the game on a 6-0 run to secure the America East victory with a final score of 54-39.

The Black Bears will be back in action hosting Bryant on Saturday, Jan. 4 at 1 p.m. during the annual Bananas Cub Club event at Skip Chappelle Court.

-UMaine-