Women's Basketball

2023-24 #AEHoops Preview: Maine Women’s Basketball

Nine Teams, Nine Days – Over the next nine days we’ll take a look at each of the America East’s nine women’s basketball programs in a lead up to the 2023-24 season. The regular season begins on Monday, Nov. 6 with eight teams in action and the full schedule of contests can be found here.
 
Maine women’s basketball has been the standard of the America East for almost a decade under head coach Amy Vachon, winning more than 75 percent of its conference games since she took the helm. However, 2022-23 was the first time since 2017 the team entered the conference tournament as lower than a No. 2 seed. It was a perfect storm of youth and injuries which seemed to stall the Black Bears last year, but Vachon is excited about this season.
 
“We are experienced this year. Last year you could say we weren’t so much, we were learning,” said Vachon. “This year we have a lot more time, minutes and games under our belts.”
 
Graduate student Anne Simon headlines the returning group as one of the most decorated America East basketball players of the 21st century. She missed half the season due to injury, but  has scored over 1,300 career points and was the 2021-22 Player and Defensive Player of the Year. Her injury did give Adrianna Smith additionally touches and she ran with it, taking home 2022-23 Player of the Year honors after averaging 23.5 point, 10.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game in conference play.
 
Overall Maine returns its top eight scorers from last season and all five starters. Caroline Bournemann was one of two players to start all 30 games last year as she averaged 9.1 points and 5.7 rebounds, while Sera Hodgson started 29 games and Paula Gallego started 27. Guards Olivia Rockwood, Jaycie Christopher and Sarah Talon were learning on the job last season and combined for 97 threes while shooting a collective 39.9 percent from beyond the arc. Vachon also brough in three freshmen who should fight for time with the deep returning group.
   
Maine opens its season on the road at Quinnipiac on Nov. 6 at 5:30 p.m. and travels to La Salle before heading home to face a tough UMass team and URI. The Black Bears continue their non-conference gauntlet against Richmond, Louisiana and Drake before hosting No. 9 Indiana in Portland on Nov. 30. They also host both James Madison and Harvard in December before eventually beginning conference  play at UMass Lowell on Thursday, Jan. 4.
 
Maine – Roster - Schedule
Head Coach: Amy Vachon
2022-23 Record: 16-14, 11-5 (3rd)
Scoring Offense: 59.7 points per game (6th)
Scoring Defense: 60.3 points per game (3rd)
3PT Field Goals: 6.6 per game (1st)
 
Returning Starters (5)
Adrianna Smith, F – 17.9 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 3.5 apg
Anne Simon, G – 13.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.6 spg
Caroline Bornemann, G – 9.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg
Sera Hodgson, G – 4.5 ppg, 1.8 rpg
Paula Gallego, G – 4.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.0 apg
 
Notable Newcomers (3)
Caroline Dotsey, F - freshman
Aislinn Gibson, G - freshman
Emmie Streams, G - freshman
 
Fans will once again be able to watch every #AEHoops home game on The AE on ESPN with all games airing on ESPN+ or ESPN3 domestically and AmericaEast.TV internationally.

Follow the @AEHoopsNews X (Formerly Twitter) account to stay up-to-date on #AEHoops news all season long. 

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. 
 
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