BOSTON – UAlbany and Maine showcased why they were picked 1-2 in the preseason coaches’ poll as they are the only remaining unbeaten teams in conference play, following a pair of victories for each team last week.
The Week That Was
- The Great Danes outlasted a tough UMBC squad 61-53 on Wednesday and then dispatched UMass Lowell 62-38 on Saturday.
- Maine escaped with a 70-63 overtime victory against UMass Lowell to start the week and finished with a 69-63 win over NJIT, outscoring the Highlanders 8-3 over the final 80 seconds.
- UMBC continued its best conference start since 2012 with a 69-60 victory against Bryant on Saturday. Kiara Bell is averaging 12.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.8 steals per game during the 3-1 start.
- Vermont got back to .500 in conference play with a pair of wins last week. The Catamounts forced overtime with a late three against Bryant and eventually held on for the 68-67 win. They finished the week by taking down New Hampshire 72-55.
A Look Ahead
- Women’s #AEHoops action continues this Wednesday and Saturday with four games on each day.
- Wednesday features NJIT at Binghamton, a pair of 2-1 teams looking for a big win.
- On Saturday, UMBC puts its hot start on the line against Maine while New Hampshire and Bryant square off, with each looking for their first conference win.
A reminder that every round of the Jersey Mikes #AEPlayoffs will take place on the higher seed’s home court so earning home court advantage will prove crucial once again. The league champion will earn an automatic berth into the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship.
America East Links
Fans will once again be able to watch every #AEHoops game this season regardless of where they live!. The majority games will air on The AE on ESPN, either ESPN+ or ESPN3, in the United States. Games will also be available internationally on AmericaEast.TV. Those games will be available on computers, OTT devices and the brand new America East app, which is available on all IOS and Android devices and can be found by searching ‘America East Conference’ in app stores.
The women’s #AEHoops preseason poll was announced on Oct. 19.
2022-23 Weekly Award Winners (Jan. 9)
Player of the Week
Adrianna Smith, Maine – So., Forward, Reston, Va.
- Averaged 32.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game in a pair of wins.
- Posted 30 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in overtime victory against UMass Lowell.
- Finished with a career-high 34 points, ten rebounds and four assists in a win against NJIT.
- First Women’s #AEHoops player since 2016 with back-to-back 30 point games against conference opponents.
- This is Smith’s first Women’s #AEHoops Player of the Week honor.
Rookie of the Week
Alejandra Zuniga, NJIT – Fr., Guard, Madrid, Spain
- Tallied 16 points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal in a tight loss to Maine.
- Helped NJIT close deficit to just three points in the final 90 seconds.
- Finished 6-for-11 from the field and made all three free throws.
- This is Zuniga’s second Women’s #AEHoops Rookie of the Week award.
Weekly Award Winners
Nov. 14 – Player of the Week: Ellen Hahne, UAlbany; Rookie of the Week: Jadyn Weltz, Binghamton
Nov. 21 – Player of the Week: Kiara Bell, UMBC; Rookie of the Week: Ella Wanzer, Binghamton
Nov. 28 – Player of the Week: Emma Utterback, Vermont; Rookie of the Week: Breezie Williams, New Hampshire
Dec. 5 – Player of the Week: Catherine Gilwee, Vermont; Rookie of the Week: Ella Wanzer, Binghamton
Dec. 12 – Player of the Week: Ellen Hahne, UAlbany; Rookie of the Week: Jaycie Christopher, Maine
Dec. 19 – Player of the Week: Helene Haegerstrand, UAlbany; Rookie of the Week: Alejandra Zuniga, NJIT
Dec. 27 – Player of the Week: Helene Haegerstrand, UAlbany; Rookie of the Week: Avery O’Connor, New Hampshire
Jan. 3 – Player of the Week: K.K. White, UMBC; Rookie of the Week: Sarah Talon, Maine
Jan. 9 – Player of the Week: Adrianna Smith, Maine; Rookie of the Week: Alejandra Zuniga, NJIT
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