ORONO — It took a half for the College of Maine ladies’s basketball group to determine issues out offensively and care for the basketball Wednesday night time. As soon as that occurred, there was no backslide.
Forward by just one level in opposition to Binghamton at halftime, Maine pulled away late within the third quarter and earned a 64-54 win in an America East quarterfinal. With a crowd of 1,065 followers within the Pit, led in cheers by a big contingent of Maine soccer gamers, the third-seeded Black Bears superior to a semifinal Sunday at No. 2 Albany.
“The primary half, we name type of rushed a little bit bit. As soon as we figured it out within the second half, we made good performs. Our confidence went up,” mentioned Anne Simon, who scored 24 factors and grabbed 9 rebounds in her third sport again from a sprained ankle.
Maine (16-13) cut up a pair of regular-season video games in opposition to Albany, every profitable at residence.
No. 6 Binghamton ends the season at 13-17. This was the second sport in 5 days between these groups, after they closed the common season in opposition to one another within the Pit on Saturday.
“We knew we have been going to have our arms full with them, simply paying them a pair days in the past. I felt like within the first half, our group and our coaches, everybody was simply actually excessive strung. I feel we relaxed within the second half and executed so much higher,” Maine Coach Amy Vachon mentioned. “We felt like we have been turning it over as a result of we have been passing up photographs. We did a greater job within the second half.”
After turning the ball over 11 instances within the first half, the Black Bears had simply as soon as turnover within the second half. Maine went 15 for 16 on the free-throw line, together with 11 for 12 within the fourth quarter. Binghamton was simply 4 for 9 on the line.
“I feel they only obtained a spark,” mentioned Binghamton guard Denai Bowman, who scored 16 factors. “They’re a taking pictures group. Everybody is aware of that. They began hitting photographs.”
Forward 50-47 with seven minutes left, Maine pushed its result in 10 with a 7-0 run. Olivia Rockwood’s free throws with 5:42 to play gave Maine a 57-47 lead.
“I ought to’ve referred to as a timeout faster. That’s on me. Allow us to get again on monitor. I blame myself for that,” mentioned Binghamton Coach Bethann Shapiro Ord.
After struggling to make photographs all through the primary half, the Black Bears discovered their contact within the third quarter, particularly from the perimeter, making 5 of 9 3-pointers to take a 46-41 lead into the fourth. Rockwood (11 factors) sank three 3s within the third.
“I used to be simply taking pictures with confidence after I was open,” Rockwood mentioned.
Maine led 25-24 at halftime after a poor taking pictures half for each groups. Forward 14-10 after one quarter, Maine misplaced the lead when Binghamton opened the second with a 7-0 run. The Black Bears regained the lead when Adrianna Smith made a brief jumper with 4:30 left within the half.
Smith scored 31 factors and grabbed 19 rebounds in Maine’s 69-65 win over the Bearcats on Saturday. Wednesday night time, Binghamton double-teamed her within the paint and held Smith, the America East Participant of the 12 months, to 13 factors. Seven of these factors got here within the third quarter. Smith additionally had 12 rebounds and 5 assists, discovering open teammates when she didn’t have a clear shot.
“It’s laborious to double her as a result of she will be able to see the ground so nicely. When she’s on and making these passes and our shooters are knocking them down, it may be a troublesome mixture,” Vachon mentioned.
Genevieve Coleman had 16 factors and 6 rebounds for Binghamton, whereas Jaydn Weltz added 14 factors.
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