BOSTON – Vermont and Binghamton both went 2-0 last week to stay tied atop the #AEHoops standings at 6-1, while UMBC extended its win streak to five games and moved into sole possession of third after another perfect week.
Vermont has improved its NET rankings to 84, tops in the league and one of the best in the Northeast among non-Power 4 programs. Seven schools are in the top 205 of NET, after only having three in the top 250 a season ago. Bryant is second at 153, while Binghamton is at 157 and Maine is at 158, for four in the top 160. As a league, America East is ranked as the 14th best in the conference this year.
Need to Know
- Jade Tillman hit a driving layup with 4.4 seconds left in regulation to lift UMBC over NJIT 52-51 on the road Thursday. The Retrievers then blew out UMass Lowell 75-52 for their 5th straight win and took over sole possession of third place in the standings.
- Vermont got 31 points from Nikola Priede in a blowout of UMass Lowell and the Catamounts followed up with a 71-53 victory against Bryant on Saturday.
- Binghamton escaped with a 50-42 victory over New Hampshire on Thursday and then took down Maine 62-57 on Saturday thanks in part to 14 points and 12 rebounds from Kendall Bennett.
- New Hampshire earned its first conference win, 56-51 over UAlbany, while Maine also went 1-1 last week with a victory over the Great Danes.
Looking Ahead:
- On Thursday Vermont travels to UMBC for a 6:30 p.m. matchup between the two hottest teams in the league, while Binghamton plays at Bryant. UAlbany faces NJIT while UMass Lowell welcomes New Hampshire.
- Saturday NJIT hosts Vermont, while Maine welcomes UMass Lowell. UAlbany travels to UMBC and New Hampshire hosts Bryant.
2025-26 Weekly Award Winners (Jan. 26)
Player of the Week
Adrianna Smith, Maine – Sr., Forward, Catlett, Va.
- Averaged 27.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.0 steals per game in a 1-1 week.
- Had 25 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals in a 65-60 win over UAlbany.
- Finished with 29 points, seven rebounds and three steals in a loss to Binghamton.
- This is Smith’s fourth #AEHoops Player of the Week honor this season.
Rookie of the Week
Heidi Williams – Fr., Guard, Prince George's County, Md.
- Averaged 14.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game in two wins.
- Went off for a career-high 22 points, seven rebounds and four steals in a 23-point win over UMass Lowell
- This is Williams’ fourth #AEHoops Rookie of the Week honor in the last five weeks.
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
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