2008 Woodie Awards
Rest for the weary
UMaine recharging its batteries after hot start
Meghann Burnett
Issue date: 12/4/06 Section: Maine Sports
After reeling off five wins, the UMaine women's basketball program's best start in almost a decade, it would seem like the last thing the team would want is a break in the momentum.
As it turns out, it's exactly what they need.
The adrenaline-driven November that produced a 5-1 record and the most opening-month wins in school history has taken its toll on the Black Bears, and having a week to prepare for the next five games on the road is a welcome change.
"It'll be good having this time off, especially for our seniors," said head coach Ann McInerney. "They are banged up and beat up a little bit, and for the freshmen to give them a mental breather."
The Black Bears are relaxing after a come-from-behind victory over Dartmouth Wednesday in Hanover, N.H. With the win, UMaine has defeated each of the Ivy League's defending tri-champions - 72-61 against the Big Green, 63-61 versus Princeton at the Subway Classic in Minnesota, and a 62-51 win over Brown in the Dead River Co. Classic in Orono.
Senior Bracey Barker, held scoreless in the first half, led a 53-point explosion in the second half with 17 points. Ashley Underwood tossed in 13 points and Katie Whittier pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds.
"Credit Dartmouth with defensive intensity that took us out of our rhythm in the first half, but once we calmed down we were able to hit some shots in the second half," said McInerney. "It was a very good game for us to win on the road."
Senior Lindsey Hugstad-Vaa scored 10 points off the bench, and freshman Amanda Tewksbury followed up her buzzer-beating performance against Clemson with 11 points and five boards.
"Dartmouth showed a lot of our weaknesses," added Barker. "We need to box out, work on our team offense and team defense and not going one-on-one."
At this point last season however, the list of weaknesses was a little bit longer.
"Mentally, our team is a lot more focused this year, especially on the road," said Barker. "We learned from last year and we're trying to get better and keep everyone on the same page."
As it turns out, it's exactly what they need.
The adrenaline-driven November that produced a 5-1 record and the most opening-month wins in school history has taken its toll on the Black Bears, and having a week to prepare for the next five games on the road is a welcome change.
"It'll be good having this time off, especially for our seniors," said head coach Ann McInerney. "They are banged up and beat up a little bit, and for the freshmen to give them a mental breather."
The Black Bears are relaxing after a come-from-behind victory over Dartmouth Wednesday in Hanover, N.H. With the win, UMaine has defeated each of the Ivy League's defending tri-champions - 72-61 against the Big Green, 63-61 versus Princeton at the Subway Classic in Minnesota, and a 62-51 win over Brown in the Dead River Co. Classic in Orono.
Senior Bracey Barker, held scoreless in the first half, led a 53-point explosion in the second half with 17 points. Ashley Underwood tossed in 13 points and Katie Whittier pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds.
"Credit Dartmouth with defensive intensity that took us out of our rhythm in the first half, but once we calmed down we were able to hit some shots in the second half," said McInerney. "It was a very good game for us to win on the road."
Senior Lindsey Hugstad-Vaa scored 10 points off the bench, and freshman Amanda Tewksbury followed up her buzzer-beating performance against Clemson with 11 points and five boards.
"Dartmouth showed a lot of our weaknesses," added Barker. "We need to box out, work on our team offense and team defense and not going one-on-one."
At this point last season however, the list of weaknesses was a little bit longer.
"Mentally, our team is a lot more focused this year, especially on the road," said Barker. "We learned from last year and we're trying to get better and keep everyone on the same page."
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