Women's Basketball

Women’s #AEHoops Week 15: Vermont Moves Into First

BOSTON – Vermont edged first-place Binghamton on Thursday and then moved into sole possession of first with a win on Saturday, combined with a Bearcat loss. Just two weeks remain in the regular season with every playoff seed up for grabs.

Need to Know
  • Vermont held off a late Binghamton rally and finished the game on an 8-2 run to secure a 61-52 victory. Keira Hanson had 21 points in the win. She followed it up with 15 points and three triples in a 52-45 victory over Bryant to take over sole possession of first place with an 11-2 league record.
  • Binghamton’s losses to Vermont and UAlbany weekend dropped the Bearcats to 9-3 in conference play and a game behind Vermont.
  • Maine went 1-1 last week, beating UMBC 56-55 and then falling 63-42 to NJIT to stay at third in the standings with a 9-4 record.
  • NJIT went 2-0 this past weekend to improve to 7-6 in conference play, taking down UNH 55-47 and then Maine 63-42. Ava Locklear averaged 10.5 points and 10.0 rebounds per game in two wins.
  • Bryant, UMBC and UAlbany each went 1-1 last weekend as they fight for playoff positioning.
                                                                                                            
Looking Ahead:
  • Vermont hosts UMBC on Thursday and then NJIT on Saturday. Two wins for the Catamounts and one Binghamton loss would secure the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament and at least a share of the regular season title.
  • Binghamton looks to keep pace with Vermont, hosting Bryant and UMass Lowell.
  • Elsewhere on Thursday, UNH hosts UMass Lowell and NJIT plays at UAlbany.
  • On Saturday, Maine welcomes UNH and UMBC faces the Great Danes.

2025-26 Weekly Award Winners (Feb. 16)
Player of the Week
Adrianna Smith, Maine – Sr., Forward, Reston, Va.
  • Averaged 24.5 points, 14.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game in a 1-1 week.
  • Posted 25 points and 13 rebounds in a win over UMBC.
  • Only player in the nation averaging 20.0 points, 10.0 rebounds & 4.0 assists per game.
  • This is Smith’s fifth #AEHoops Player of the Week honor this season.
 
Rookie of the Week
Heidi Williams, UMBC – Fr., Guard, Prince George's County, Md.
  • Averaged 9.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game.
  • Finished with 12 points and 6 rebounds in a loss to Maine.
  • Have seven points, seven rebounds and two steals in a win over UNH.
  • This is Williams’ sixth #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
 
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