BOSTON – UAlbany and Maine both trailed by at least 10 points in the second half of their games but came through with wins to stay tied atop the conference standings at 11-1, while Binghamton also won twice as teams started to separate themselves with two weeks left.
The Week That Was
- Maine trailed Vermont by 12 points at the half on Saturday, but fought back to take the lead and held on for a 57-55 victory on the road to improve to 11-1 in league play. The Black Bears also beat Bryant 80-57 on Thursday.
- UAlbany was headed for overtime against UMBC after trailing much of the contest, until Kaya Cooper hit a driving layup with under a second left to lift the Great Danes to the 58-56 victory. They struggled on Thursday as well, just edging 1-9 NJIT 38-36 on the road.
- Binghamton continued its upward trend with wins to improve their playoff positioning and move into a tie for fourth at 6-7. The Bearcats outlasted UMBC 52-44 on Thursday and then dispatched NJIT 68-48 on Saturday.
- Bryant and UVM both went 1-1 last week, with the Catamounts falling to Maine to drop to 10-3 in #AEHoops action and beating UNH. Bryant, meanwhile, went to 6-7 overall to stay in contention for a home playoff contest with its loss to Maine and victory over UMass Lowell.
Looking Ahead
- UAlbany faces a big test on Thursday as the Great Danes have to travel up to Vermont. The Catamounts won the first matchup between the two teams and have won six straight games at home against UAlbany.
- UVM travels down to Bryant on Saturday, who looks to move to .500 in league play.
- After facing the Catamounts, UAlbany hosts UMass Lowell.
- Maine is on the road for a pair as they look to stay tied for first, traveling to UMBC and then NJIT.
- Binghamton hosts UMass Lowell in its only game, while UNH can clinch a playoff spot depending on their performances against UMBC and NJIT.
America East Links
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The women’s #AEHoops preseason poll was announced on Oct. 19.
2023-24 Weekly Award Winners (Feb. 19)
Player of the Week
Anne Simon, Maine – Gr., Guard, Sandweiler, Luxembourg
- Averaged 23.5 points, 5.5 steals, 2.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in a 2-0 week.
- Went off for 31 points, four rebounds, four assists and six steals in a win over Bryant.
- Came through with 16 points, four rebounds and five steals in a comeback victory over Vermont.
- This is Simon’s seventh #AEHoops Player of the Week honor this season and the 10th time a Maine player has won in 2023-24.
Rookie of the Week
Silvia Gonzalez, Bryant – Fr., Forward,
- Averaged 15.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game on 50% shooting in two wins.
- Had 14 points and one rebound in a tough loss to Maine.
- Posted a career-high 17 points with five threes and eight rebounds in a victory over UMass Lowell.
- This is Gonzalez’s first career #AEHoops Rookie of the Week honor.
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
Jan. 8 – Player of the Week: Anne Simon, Maine; Rookie of the Week: Mia Mancini, Bryant
Jan. 15 – Player of the Week: Adrianna Smith, Maine; Rookie of the Week: Rayne Durant, UMass Lowell
Jan. 22 – Player of the Week: Kayla Cooper, UAlbany; Rookie of the Week: Maggie Cavanaugh
Jan. 29 - Player of the Week: Emma Utterback, Vermont; Rookie of the Week: Deja Evans, UAlbany
Feb. 5 – Player of the Week: Adrianna Smith, Maine; Rookie of the Week: Deja Evans, UAlbany
Feb. 12 – Player of the Week: Anne Simon, Maine; Rookie of the Week: Mia Mancini, Bryant
Feb. 19 – Player of the Week: Anne Simon, Maine; Rookie of the Week: Silvia Gonzalez, Bryant
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