Women's Basketball

Women’s #AEHoops Preview: Feb. 5-7

BOSTON – Vermont and Binghamton are tied atop the women’s standings, with Maine and UMBC close behind. The four teams face off against each other this Thursday, which could have lasting playoff implications.
 
Bryant (5-4) at UAlbany (2-7) – 11 AM
  • Bryant snapped a four-game losing streak with a 51-45 overtime victory against New Hampshire last Saturday to get over .500 in league play. while UAlbany went 1-1 last week with a win over NJIT and an OT loss at UMBC.
  • UAlbany fell 62-55 on the road to Bryant earlier this year. The Bulldogs held just a 1-point lead going into the fourth but outscored the Great Danes 21-15 in the final period. Nia Scott finished with 18 points and 12 rebouds in the contest.
  • In league play, Bryant owns the 3rd best scoring defense (56.9) but is 5th in offense (61.0), while UAlbany ranks 7th in scoring (58.1) and scoring defense (61.0).
 
Maine (6-3) at Vermont (8-1) – 11 AM
  • The Catamounts own a league-best six-game win streak, including a 63-61 buzzer-beating victory at NJIT on Saturday. Maine has won 3 of 4, highlighted by a dominant 92-42 win over UML. The Black Bears are 5-1 in league play when they surpass 60 points.
  • Maine fell 64-53 at home to Vermont earlier this year. The Catamounts outscored the Black Bears each of the first three quarters on the way to a 53-37 advantage. Keira Hanson had four threes and 20 points for Vermont, while Adrianna Smith was limited to 15 points and seven rebounds.
  • Vermont is 1st in scoring defense at 54.7 ppg, while ranking 2nd in offense at 68.9 ppg. Maine, meanwhile, owns the top offense (70.0) after putting up 92 last week and is 5th in scoring defense (59.6)
 
UMBC (6-3) at Binghamton (7-1) – 6 PM
  • Binghamton has won three straight and looks to stay tied atop the league standings after wins over New Hampshire, Maine and Bryant. UMBC had its five-game win streak snapped last Thursday by Vermont but rebounded with an OT win over UAlbany on Saturday.
  • UMBC beat Binghamton 64-58 earlier this year as the Retrievers build up a 48-37 lead after three quarters and held on for the win. Jade Tillman had 21 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Retrievers.
  • UMBC is 2nd in scoring defense (56.4) and 6th in scoring offense (58.2) while Binghamton is 4th in offense (65.6) and 6th in defense (59.8). They also rank 2nd & 3rd in both forced turnovers and steals per game.
 
NJIT (4-5) at UMass Lowell (0-9) – 6 PM
  • The Highlanders have lost three straight, with 2 of the 3 losses by two points or less, including a 63-61 buzzer-beating defeat against UVM last Saturday. UMass Lowell is looking for its first conference win, and nearly captured it last Thursday with an overtime loss to New Hampshire, 62-58.
  • In the first meeting between these teams this season NJIT used an impressive third quarter to pull away for good and secure a 68-57 victory. Olivia Kulyk had 22 points, while Ava Locklear finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
  • NJIT is 3rd in scoring (66.6), but ranks just 8th in defense (67.3). UMass Lowell, meanwhile, is 8th in scoring (52.4) and 9th in scoring defense (76.2).
 
Saturday, Feb. 7
  • NJIT at Binghamton – 12 PM
  • Vermont New Hampshire at – 1 PM
  • Bryant at Maine – 1 PM
  • UAlbany at UMass Lowell – 1 PM
 
ABOUT AMERICA EAST
Founded in 1979, the America East Conference is an elite NCAA Division I athletic conference that fosters an environment for student-athletes to become champions. Comprised of academically renowned, like-minded member institutions located in the Northeast region of the United States, America East is committed to broad-based excellence and progressive in its approach to supporting its more than 3,500 student-athletes across 18 sponsored sports. For more information, visit www.AmericaEast.com and follow the America East Conference and its social media channels, @AmericaEast.
 
- America East Conference – Where Champions Rise -