American East Conference

Pair of #AETourney Semifinals Rematches Scheduled for Sunday

3/3/2018 11:38:40 PM

Portland, Maine – For the first time since 1989, the final four will mirror the previous year's matchups on Sunday in the America East Women’s Basketball Championship presented by MaineHealth and Gorham Savings Bank. A full day of quarterfinals action ended with a fantastic finish as No. 6 Hartford advanced to their 12^th semifinals in 14 seasons via a come-from-behind overtime win over No. 3 Binghamton.

No. 1 Maine and No. 5 New Hampshire will rendez-vous with a chance to punch a ticket to the championship game. The Black Bears won last season's semifinal meeting over then top-seeded Wildcats 6-52.

No. 6 Hartford will seek to avenge last year's loss and dethrone No. 2 Albany. The Hawks lost a nail-biter to the six-time reigning champions 67-65 in the 2017 semifinals.
 
3,450 fans were in attendance for the two sessions, combined, at Cross Insurance Arena. The action resumes at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday and both games can be streamed on ESPN3. Visit #AETourney Central for more information.
 
 
#1 Maine 65, #8 UMBC 43
Box Score | Photo Gallery | Highlights

• All-Conference honorees Blanca Millan (21 points, four steals) and Tanesha Sutton (11 points, 10 rebounds) led the Black Bears to their fourth consecutive semifinals appearance.
• Maine is seeking its third consecutive trip to the title game.
• Sixth Player of the Year Parise Rossignol was also in double figures with 15 points.
• UMBC could not overcome a slow start after shooting 1-for-17 in the first quarter.
• All-Rookie selection Janee’a Summers led the Retrievers with 13 points and also added five rebounds.

 
#5 New Hampshire 71, #4 Stony Brook 54
Box Score | Photo Gallery | Highlights

• For the second straight year, the Wildcats topped the Seawolves in the quarterfinals to advance to the semifinals.
• New Hampshire senior Brittni Lai and Stony Brook junior Shania Johnson went toe-to-toe in scoring. Lai finished with 22 points on 8-for-18 shooting while Johnson led all scorers with 24.
• Olivia Healy (13) and Kat Fogarty (11) also finished in double figures, as did All-Conference First Team selection, Carlie Pogue, who recorded a double-double (14 points, 14 rebounds).
• The Wildcats built a ten-point lead in the second quarter and never looked back in the second half.

 
#2 Albany 60, #7 Vermont 42
Box Score | Photo Gallery | Highlights

• Albany dominated the offensive glass to punch their ticket to a sixth-straight semifinals.
• The Great Danes outscored the Catamounts in the paint 38-12 and more than half of their 44 total rebounds were offensive (24).
• Junior forward Chyanna Canada led the Great Danes with a career-high 14 points.
• Vermont sophomore Hanna Crymble finished with 15 points and five rebounds – both team-highs.
• Albany has now beaten Vermont in the quarterfinals in four straight seasons.

 
#6 Hartford 72, #3 Binghamton 68 (OT)
Box Score | Photo Gallery | Highlights

• For the second consecutive year, the sixth-seeded Hartford Hawks are moving on to the semifinals.
• The Hawks were down 12 points with 4:49 left in the fourth quarter and closed the game on a 26-10 run.
• Seniors Darby Lee and Janelle Harrison recorded double-doubles. Lee’s 22 points and 12 rebounds were game-highs.
• Hartford’s 83 field goal attempts are a tournament record for any round.
• Binghamton sophomore Kai Moon led all Bearcats with 17 points and made all 12 of her free throw attempts.
• Three-time Defensive Player of the Year Alyssa James finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
• Hartford will make its second appearance in the #AETourney semifinals as a six seed.

About America East: The America East provides its member schools and their athletic programs a platform upon which student-athletes can achieve both collegiate and life success through the promotion and nurturing of athletic excellence, academic achievement and leadership, on and off the field.