Oh, the Excitement of College Basketball Season!
Orono, Maine — Drumroll, please, because the University of Maine Black Bears are back on the court! After snagging their 10th conference title (yes, that’s ten — I could never keep track after two), they’re opening their 61st season today! And not just any snooze-fest: they’re hosting La Salle at 11 a.m. for the illustrious ‘Field Trip Game‘, lovingly presented by Chick-fil-A. I mean, who doesn’t want to watch a game while munching on an eight-piece nugget meal, right?
This is the first time these bears have opened at home since 2018, proving the old adage that good things come to those who wait. How ironic is it that a sports team waited longer to play at home than it took for me to find out how to do laundry without turning everything pink?
Season Kickoff Details
Now, for all you sports enthusiasts wondering how to catch this thrilling matchup, fear not! The grand affair will be live-streamed on ESPN+. Or if you prefer the crackle of radio as your backdrop, tune into the Black Bears Sports Network or your friendly neighborhood 92.9 FM (Bangor). Living the dream here!
Getting There and Getting In
Attention student Bears! Tickets are limited, but fear not, all you need is a valid MaineCard and some luck—because nothing says “I’m a dedicated fan” quite like scrambling to snag a last-minute ticket!
Parking is a glorious escapade of its own — season ticket holders are advised to roll up to the Munson Road entrance and park in either the Wells Lot or Dunn Lot. So if you thought you were just going to the game, surprise! You’re now part of a covert mission to find that perfectly elusive parking spot!
The Last Battle: A Reflection
Remember last year’s NCAA Tournament? No? That’s okay, we’ve all tried to forget. Our daring Black Bears faced Ohio State in a heartbreaking 80-57 loss. But let’s give a hearty round of applause to Anne Simon for scoring a career-high 25 points! Though they were forced into 22 turnovers — it’s like taking candy from a baby, except the candy was winning basketball games!
Maine’s Journey This Season
Heading into this season, Maine’s got some tricks up their sleeves despite the setback of losing key player Adrianna Smith due to injury. They still retain six of their top scorers! Caroline Bornemann, Olivia Rockwood, and Sarah Talon are back and ready to dominate. They topped the scoring offense last season and seemed to be defensive wizards, controlling the boards more effectively than my Aunt Edna handles her bingo cards!
La Salle Dilemma
Then we have La Salle, looking to bounce back after a rather ‘meh’ 8-22 season, featuring 13 new players! They’re practically a brand new team—maybe they just decided to call it a ‘reboot’? The only recognizable face is Jolene Armendariz, who is ready to show us what’s what. Who thinks if they shout “we’re not in Kansas anymore” loud enough, the team might just turn it around?
A Historic Clash
Maine and La Salle are set to face off for the second consecutive season, with Maine leading the series 1-0 after a gritty 58-48 win last year. Eric Clapton might as well have sung “You’re a Discussion Saved” for this basketball encounter— because this game should be a nail-biter, or at least a nail-trimmer!
So, grab your pom-poms, put on your game face, and make your way to the cozy confines of the arena for what promises to be a thrilling opener. Here’s to a season of ups, downs, three-pointers, and a few spectacular fails—after all, it’s college basketball!
The University of Maine women’s basketball team, fresh off celebrating its 10th conference championship and making its 10th trip to the NCAA Tournament, is gearing up for its 61st season of competition. The Black Bears are set to host La Salle on Monday morning at 11 a.m., marking this special occasion with the ‘Field Trip Game‘, proudly sponsored by Chick-fil-A, a unique event aimed at engaging local students and fans.
For more information on the ‘Field Trip Game’, please click here.
This marks the first time since 2018 that the Black Bears have opened a season on their home court. Maine will join the ranks of six other Division I schools to launch their season that day, with notable matchups including Georgia Tech and North Carolina, both kicking off at 11 a.m.
Broadcast Details: Monday’s game will be live-streamed on ESPN+. Fans can also tune in on the Black Bears Sports Network as well as on 92.9 FM in Bangor, ensuring multiple ways to connect with the action from the comfort of home or on the go.
Tickets:
Limited tickets for UMaine students will be available at the arena’s entrance for Monday’s opener. Students can access complimentary tickets to all basketball games by presenting a valid MaineCard, while supplies last. For ticketing inquiries, please reach out to the Maine Athletics box office via email at [email protected] or by calling 207-581-2327.
Parking:
Fans who hold season tickets and plan to attend Monday’s game should enter campus through the Munson Road entrance and can park in either the Wells Lot or Dunn Lot. A parking map will be provided for further clarity on arrangements for Monday’s game day.
LAST TIME OUT:
COLUMBUS, Ohio — In a fierce battle, Anne Simon achieved a career high with an impressive 25 points during the No. 15 seed Black Bears’ NCAA Tournament outing against No. 2 seed Ohio State, though they faced an 80-57 defeat in the opening round.
Maine displayed resilience, with Simon shooting 11-of-21 from the field and contributing three rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Her teammate Olivia Rockwood added depth to the scoring with three three-pointers for a total of 15 points, while Adrianna Smith chipped in 11 points along with six rebounds.
Maine significantly outperformed its opponent in two quarters, shooting over 60% in both the first (66.7%) and third quarters (69.2%), finishing the game with a solid 52.3% field goal percentage (23-of-44). From beyond the arc, the Black Bears managed to sink 7-of-19 shots.
However, Ohio State capitalized on the Black Bears’ mistakes, forcing 22 turnovers which translated into a significant 24-10 advantage in points scored off turnovers.
A LOOK AT THE BLACK BEARS:
Maine’s previous season concluded with a commendable 24-10 record overall and an impressive 14-2 finish in the America East conference. The crowning achievement came when the Black Bears clinched the 2024 America East Championship with a decisive 64-48 victory over Vermont, earning them a spot in the NCAA Tournament, where they ultimately fell to Ohio State in the opening round.
The team was poised to return four of its five starters, but unfortunately, Smith’s preseason knee injury has put a wrench in those plans. Despite this setback, the Black Bears are still expecting strong contributions from six of their top eight scorers, prominently featuring Caroline Bornemann (7.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg), Sarah Talon (6.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg), and Olivia Rockwood (6.3 ppg, 36.7% from 3-point range).
Maine led the conference in scoring offense last season, averaging 64.1 points per game, while boasting the 18th best turnover rate in the nation at 12.5 per game—demonstrating their prowess in ball control. They were also the America East leaders in three-point attempts (24.1) and dominated the boards with an impressive 37.1 rebounds per game, winning the rebounding battle in 24 out of 34 games and ending with a tie in one match. Under Head Coach Amy Vachon, who is entering her eighth season, the team is eager to build on these achievements. Vachon added to her accolades last season by being named the America East Coach of the Year for the fifth time.
A LOOK AT LA SALLE:
La Salle is entering the season after finishing with an 8-22 record and a 3-11 mark in Atlantic 10 play, featuring a dramatically different roster with 13 new players. This season marks the sixth year under the leadership of head coach Mountain MacGillivray. The Explorers return only one starter from last season, Jolene Armendariz, who was a consistent presence, averaging 6.2 points and 5.9 rebounds across 29 games played.
Another returning player is Aryss Macktoon, who faced injury woes last season and only participated in four games, where she averaged an impressive 10.8 points per game before going down.
SERIES WITH LA SALLE:
The matchup against La Salle will be a renewed rivalry, as the Black Bears and the Explorers meet for the second consecutive season and for the second time ever in their histories. Maine holds a 1-0 advantage, having won last year’s encounter 58-48. In that game, Anne Simon and Adrianna Smith both achieved double-doubles, while Caroline Bornemann added a strong performance with 11 points and seven rebounds. The Black Bears’ solid defense shone through, holding La Salle to just six points in the third quarter of that match while limiting their overall shooting to a meager 29.5 percent and forcing 17 turnovers. Last season, Maine posted a respectable 3-2 record against A-10 opponents, with victories against La Salle, UMass, and Rhode Island.
-UMaine-
Conference play last year. The team is under the guidance of Head Coach **Amy Vachon**, who is looking to turn things around this season. They will be aiming to improve upon their performance and build a more competitive roster.
La Salle will rely on a mix of returning players and new talent to enhance their scoring ability and defensive strategies. Key players to watch include their leading scorer from last season, who contributed a significant number of points, as well as other returning contributors who are expected to step up in leadership roles.
As they head into the season, La Salle’s focus will be on solidifying team chemistry and developing a strong defensive presence. They will aim to carry out their game plan effectively while minimizing turnovers, which plagued them in their previous season.
The matchup against Maine promises to be an exciting contest as both teams look to make a statement early in the season. With Maine’s established scoring ability and La Salle’s aspirations for improvement, fans can look forward to a highly competitive game.
