ORONO, Maine – One team will punch a ticket to March Madness on Friday as the top-two seeds battle for the America East women's basketball championship.
#1 Maine hosts #2 UAlbany at Memorial Gymnasium on the campus of the University of Maine Friday at 5 p.m. on ESPNU. The Black Bears advanced to a seventh consecutive title game with wins over Hartford (Quarterfinals) and NJIT (Semifinals). The Great Danes are back in the championship game for the first time since 2017 following wins over New Hampshire (Quarterfinals) and Vermont (Semifinals).
#AEPlayoffs Central | Watch Live | Live Stats | Championship Game Notes
#1 Maine Black Bears (20-10, 15-3)
- Maine has won 12 of last 13 postseason games.
- The Black Bears won their fourth outright regular season title in five seasons and conference record 18th overall.
- Head Coach Amy Vachon was named Coach of the Year for a fourth time - tying a conference record.
- Their 14-game win streak is the fourth-longest active streak in the NCAA.
- Lead the league in assists and turnover margin.
- Junior Anne Simon became the second consecutive Black Bear to be named Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season.
- Simon leds the league in scoring and ranks tenth in Division I in steals.
#2 UAlbany Great Danes (22-9, 13-5)
- Winners of five of last six games.
- Second-fewest points allowed per game in Division I.
- The Great Danes are in the midst of their winningest season under four-year head coach Colleen Mullen.
- Leading the league in rebounding margin and opponent field goal percentage.
- Junior captain Helene Haegerstrand was named to the All-Conference First Team, ranking top-10 in scoring and shooting percentage.
The Black Bears swept the 2021-22 season series and have defeated the Great Danes in the previous two postseason meetings – both in the semifinals at The Pit. UAlbany won back-to-back championships over the Black Bears to complete their record six consecutive titles. This is the third title game matchup between the teams.
Players to Watch
Each of the previous nine championships have been won by the one or two seed with the top seed winning five titles to the two-seed's four.
Tickets for Friday's game can be obtained by contacting Maine's ticket office or visiting #AEPlayoffs Central.
All 2022 #AEPlayoffs action can be watched on ESPN networks. The quarter and semifinals will air on ESPN+ as part of The AE on ESPN with a simulcast for international viewers on AmericaEast.TV. The championship game will be nationally televised on ESPNU. All three rounds will also be available via the ESPN app.
Complete postseason information can be found at americaeast.com/wbbplayoffs.
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.
- #3Pillars – Building the Complete Student-Athlete -