BOSTON – Eight teams were in action last week as a final tune-up before conference play begins on Thursday. Five came away with wins, including a 31-point victory by UAlbany to stretch its win streak to seven games.
The Week That Was
- The Great Danes dispatched Navy 87-56 for their seventh straight win, all of which have come by at least 10 points to improve to 11-2.
- NJIT defeated LIU on New Year’s Eve 58-54 thanks to 15 points, nine rebounds and three blocks from Trinity Williams.
- UMBC took down Saint Francis (Pa.) 85-53, while Binghamton and Bryant also came away with wins.
Looking Ahead
- Conference play begins with four contests on Thursday evening.
- Entering conference play three #AEHoops programs rank in the top 170 of NET rating, led by 11-2 UAlbany at 122. Maine is second at 135 while defending champion Vermont is ranked 169th. New Hampshire is fourth at 266, NJIT is at 271 and Binghamton at 275 to round out the top six.
- On Thursday, Maine (7-7) travels to UMass Lowell (0-12) for a 6 p.m. matchup as the Black Bears look for the road victory and the River Hawks seek their first win of the season.
- Vermont (8-6) hosts New Hampshire (6-7) at 6 p.m. The Wildcats are coming off a victory, while the Catamounts own a 17-game win streak against conference competition.
- UMBC (4-8) goes north to battle Binghamton (5-8) at 6:07 p.m. having won two straight, while the Bearcats are on a three-game win streak.
- UAlbany (11-2) welcomes Bryant (7-6) into the Broadview Center for a 7 p.m. contest. The Great Danes have won 16 straight at home, while the Bulldogs seek to stay above .500.
- Four more contests take place on Saturday, highlighted by Vermont traveling up to Maine in a battle between two of the top three teams in the conference. In other action, UAlbany hosts NJIT, UMass Lowell welcomes UNH and UMBC travels to Bryant.
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.
2023-24 Weekly Award Winners (Jan. 2)
Player & Rookie of the Week
Deja Evans, UAlbany – Fr., Forward, Conshohocken, Pa.
- Posted a career highs of 26 points and 17 rebounds in a victory over Navy.
- Had eight offensive rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block in the win.
- First #AEHoops player this year to post 25+ points and 15+ rebounds against a DI opponent and just the second in the last five years.
- Evans is the first #AEHoops player to win both Player and Rookie of the Week honors in the same week since Anna Olson on Jan. 4, 2021.
Weekly Award Winners
Nov. 13 – Player of the Week: Anne Simon, Maine; Rookie of the Week: Mia Mancini, Bryant
Nov. 20 – Player of the Week: Anne Simon, Maine; Rookie of the Week: Madilyn Dogs, NJIT
Nov. 27 – Player of the Week: Adrianna Smith, Maine; Rookie of the Week: Mia Mancini, Bryant
Dec. 4 – Player of the Week: Anne Simon, Maine; Rookie of the Week: Mia Mancini, Bryant
Dec. 11 – Player of the Week: Kayla Cooper, UAlbany; Rookie of the Week: Mia Mancini, Bryant
Dec. 18 – Player of the Week: Anne Simon, Maine; Rookie of the Week: Deja Evans, UAlbany
Dec. 26 – Player of the Week: Emma Utterback, Vermont; Rookie of the Week: Nia Scott, Bryant
Jan. 2 - Player of the Week: Deja Evans, UAlbany; Rookie of the Week: Deja Evans, UAlbany
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