UAlbany vs Maine recap

Source of Photo: Kathleen Helman
“Credit to Albany, they played an outstanding third quarter, defensively and offensively, so they really made it a game. Not surprising wit Collen, the way they coach, they never die. I was proud of my team for responding and only giving up 6 points in the fourth quarter and pulling away at the end.”
Maine women’s basketball coach comments after their victory over UAlbany Sunday

The story line going into the Sundays game, was the Great Danes were trying to rebound from Saturdays 18 point loss to the Black Bears, after their two week hiatus. Maine on the other hand was looking to continue their performance from Saturday and to also continue their six game winning streak. The game started off completely different, even though Maine started off with a 12-6 lead, UAlbany looked completely fresher then the day before. At the end of the first period the Great Danes only trailed by 3 (16-13) and were doing it in a group effort. In the second period Maine responded and built the lead back up to 10, shutting down what at one point was looking like a UAlbany was going to take the lead. The charge was lead by, none other then Bilanc Milan, who scored 5 of the 10 points to increase the lead back up and force UAlbany to take a timeout. By halftime, the game was starting to look like are port of Saturday, as the Black Bears had increased the lead to 16 (40-24).

The third quarter was when it really got interesting, the Great Danes ended up up going on a 12-6 run, cutting the big lead from 16 to 6 (42-36). The Great Danes did not go away, outscoring the Black Bears 17-8 in the period, with Decosta leading the charge with 14, but it was not enough to take the lead. Everytime the Danes came within taking the lead, Maine, mainly Bianca Milan would hit a key shot, as he led the team with 24 points or they would get a key stop. By the fourth period, Maine holding off UAlbany run in the third, would be rewarded, as they pulled away, outscoring UAlbany 15-6 in the period. By the 2:50 mark in the period Anne Simon hit a three/the dagger, increasing the lead to 13, ending UAlbany chances of coming back in the game.

With this loss, the Great Danes losing steak increases to four, as they fall to 2-6 overall and 1-3 in the conference. They will be looking to break their streak against New Hampshire, the Black Bears who increased their winning streak to 5, will try to continue this run, when they travel to take on Binghamton, stay tuned!