BOSTON – It was a wild weekend as seven different teams suffered at least one loss, including first-place Vermont and second-place Binghamton. Just one week remains in the regular season and no seed has been solidified. Vermont, Binghamton and Maine secured top-four seeds and home court advantage for the quarterfinal round of the #AEPlayoffs.
The America East is one of seven conferences nationally where 75 percent of the teams in the league own a NET rating under 200. The other six are the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, Big East & American). Vermont leads the way at 86, followed by Bryant (139) and Maine (144).
Need to Know
- UMBC started the weekend with an impressive 46-44 victory at first-place Vermont, but fell 69-63 to UAlbany in double overtime on Saturday. Jade Tillman had 19 points and 10 rebounds in the UVM win.
- Binghamton dropped its third straight, falling 63-60 to Bryant on Thursday. They rebounded with a 69-44 win over UMass Lowell.
- Maine and Bryant both went unbeaten last week. The Black Bears took down New Hampshire in its lone game while the Bulldogs earned a crucial road win over Binghamton.
- NJIT went 1-1 last week, beating UAlbany on the road, 70-64, before falling to Vermont on Saturday.
- UMass Lowell went 1-1 as well. The River Hawks beat UNH 57-54 and then lost at Binghamton.
Looking Ahead:
- Vermont can clinch the outright regular season title and No. 1 Seed on Thursday when the Catamounts host UMass Lowell in their final conference game. A loss could see them fall back to the No. 2 seed if Binghamton or Maine wins out.
- Binghamton and Maine are tied at 10-4 and face each other on Saturday in a battle for a top-two seed. The Bearcats face UNH on Thursday while Maine welcomes UAlbany.
- Elsewhere on Thursday, Bryant hosts UMBC with a top-4 seed up for grabs.
- On Saturday, UAlbany travels to UNH while UMBC hosts UMass Lowell and NJIT welcomes Bryant.
2025-26 Weekly Award Winners (Feb. 23)
Player of the Week
Adrianna Smith, Maine – Sr., Forward, Reston, Va.
- Went off for 35 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and three steals in a win over New Hampshire.
- Only player in the nation averaging 20.0 points, 10.0 rebounds & 4.0 assists per game.
- This is Smith’s sixth #AEHoops Player of the Week honor this season.
Rookie of the Week
Amaya Stewart, UAlbany – Fr., Forward, West Reading Pa.
- Averaged 20.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game in a 1-1 week.
- Finished with 25 points and five rebounds in a loss to NJIT.
- Recorded 16 points and four rebounds in a win over UMBC.
- This is Stewart’s fourth #AEHoops Rookie of the Week honor of the season.
America East Links
Weekly Award Winners
Nov. 11 – Player of the Week: Alejandra Zuniga, NJIT; Rookie of the Week: Amaya Stewart, UAlbany
Nov. 17 – Player of the Week: Maddie Rice, UMass Lowell; Rookie of the Week: Heidi Williams, UMBC
Nov. 24 – Co-Player of the Week: Nia Scott, Bryant; Co-Player of the Week: Bella Pucci, Binghamton; Rookie of the Week: Amaya Stewart, UAlbany
Dec. 1 - Player of the Week: Adrianna Amith, Maine; Rookie of the Week: Kennedy Austin, UMBC
Dec. 8 - Player of the Week: Ava Locklear, NJIT; Rookie of the Week: Kennedy Austin, UMBC
Dec. 15 - Player of the Week: Mia Mancini, Bryant; Rookie of the Week: Carletta Bennett, Binghamton
Dec. 22- Co-Player of the Week: Eva DeChent, New Hampshire, Co-Player of the Week: Adrianna Amith, Maine Rookie of the Week: Ashley Redd, Binghamton
Dec. 31 – Player of the Week: Kendall Bennett, Binghamton; Rookie of the Week: Heidi Williams, UMBC
Jan. 5 – Player of the Week: Nikola Priede, Vermont; Rookie of the Week: Izzy Adams, Bryant
Jan. 12 - Player of the Week: Adrianna Amith, Maine; Rookie of the Week: Heidi Williams, UMBC
Jan. 19 - Player of the Week: Jade Tillman; Rookie of the Week: Heidi Williams, UMBC
Jan. 26 - Player of the Week: Adrianna Amith, Maine; Rookie of the Week: Heidi Williams, UMBC
Feb. 2 - Player of the Week: Nikola Priede, Vermont; Rookie of the Week: Carletta Bennett, Binghamton
Feb. 9 - Player of the Week: Bella Pucci, Binghamton; Rookie of the Week: Amaya Stewart, UAlbany
Feb. 16 - Player of the Week: Adrianna Amith, Maine; Rookie of the Week: Heidi Williams, UMBC
Feb. 23 - Player of the Week: Adrianna Amith, Maine; Rookie of the Week: Amaya Stewart, UAlbany
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