BOSTON – The top three seeds are set, but the race for the No. 4 seed is getting tight as the three teams vying for that spot all went undefeated last week, with UMBC going 2-0 while Binghamton and Bryant earned impressive victories to extend their win streaks.
The Week That Was
- The Retrievers continued their late-season playoff push with an impressive 67-59 victory over Maine on Thursday as they outscored the Black Bears 43-25 in the second half. They followed it up with a 53-43 win against New Hampshire on Saturday to improve to 6-9.
- Bryant won its only game of the week, taking down Vermont 57-52 behind a strong fourth quarter at home on senior day. The win improved their record to 7-7 going into the final week.
- Binghamton blew out UMass Lowell 79-48 on Thursday to also improve to 7-7 with two games left. Bryant did sweep the season series between the two teams.
- UAlbany was dealt its worst conference loss in over two years on Thursday as Vermont took them down 67-35 in Burlington. The Great Danes did rebound with a 59-39 win over the River Hawks to stay tied in first with Maine. The Black Bears beat NJIT 72-46 on Saturday to keep pace with UAlbany.
Looking Ahead
- UAlbany and Maine faceoff on the final day of the regular season, at 1 p.m. in Orono with the top seed in the conference tournament on the line. Both teams are currently tied for first with matching 12-2 records. UAlbany won the first meeting between the two teams and looks for at least a share of its second straight regular season championship.
- Binghamton travels to the Black Bears on Thursday and then New Hampshire on Saturday, looking to stay ahead of Bryant. The Bulldogs host UMass Lowell on Thursday and travel to NJIT on Saturday.
- NJIT is battling with New Hampshire for the final playoff spot. The Wildcats hosts UAlbany and Binghamton while NJIT plays at UMBC and then hosts 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 (Feb. 26)
Player of the Week
Mariona Planes Fortuny, Bryant – Sr., Forward, Bellpuig, Spain
- Finished with 20 points, eight rebounds and three assists in a win over Vermont.
- Shot 53 perfect from the field while adding two blocks and one steal.
- Scored 16 points and played all 20 minutes of the 2nd half as Bryant outscored UVM by nine points.
- This is Planes Fortuny’s first career #AEHoops Player of the Week honor.
Rookie of the Week
Mia Mancini, Bryant – Fr,, Guard, Mansfield, Mass.
- Totaled 13 points, six rebounds and four assists as Bryant took down UVM at home.
- Played 32 minutes and added one blocked shot as Bryant stayed tied for fourth in the #AEHoops standings.
- This is Mancini’s seventh 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
Feb. 26 – Player of the Week: Mariona Planes Fortuny, Bryant; Rookie of the Week: Mia Mancini, Bryant
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