2008 Woodie Awards
Women's basketball weathers out demanding schedule
Dillon Bates
Issue date: 12/6/07 Section: Maine Sports
It has been said that during tough times, you get to see what your team is made of. Your most difficult moments are also your finest. The University of Maine Women's Basketball team certainly hopes this holds true. The Black Bears, in the midst of a long, arduous road trip against some tough competition, have lost their last five games, including two heartbreaking losses to Harvard and William & Mary.
The young team, under first-year coach Cindy Blodgett, exemplifies the term "rebuilding year." With a remarkable amount of individual talent, the Black Bears have not been allowed the time they need to fully meld together as a team, due to being thrust into a difficult early season schedule against powerhouse programs. However, the inexperienced team has already shown their tenacity, hanging tough against high-profile competition.
In the midst of an eight-game, month-long road trip that includes such notable competition as Big East teams Massachusetts and St. John's, as well as the ACC's Boston College and Miami, the Bears' schedule won't get any easier for a long time to come. This past Sunday, UMaine still couldn't catch a break, despite playing hard against a high-powered Fairfield University squad, who so far is looking like a tournament-bound team.
Fairfield took full advantage of home-court from the gun. The Stags came out firing, scoring the first points of the game 17 seconds in. Fairfield then proceeded to shoot 47 percent for the rest of the first half, compared to just 36 percent from UMaine, and opened up a commanding lead. By halftime, the Stags had a 39-21 advantage.
UMaine, led by sophmore guard Amanda Tewksbury, who scored 12 points in the contest, seemed revitalized in the second half. They shot 52 percent from the floor, and 75 percent from beyond the arc. The UMaine bench outscored their Fairfield counterparts 29-19. However, the Stags lead from their first half proved to be insurmountable, and the teams ended up ultimately trading buckets for the duration of the second half. The Stags would take the contest 76-54.
With the loss, the Black Bears drop to 1-6, and Fairfield improves to 6-1. Although the scoreboard shows a masterful Fairfield victory, what the Black Bears should take from the contest is their ability to rally at halftime and improve in the second half of the game. Perhaps most notable for UMaine, their bench proved it could contribute to the game. Led by Tewksbury, who was the high scorer for her second straight game, the Black Bears showed their ability to hang in against nationally notable competition.
The Black Bears will continue the toughest road trip of the season on Saturday, Dec.8 at the University of Massachusetts. The game will prove to be another match-up with a large-conference foe and another opportunity for Blodgett and her young team to see, and hopefully show off, what they are made of.
The young team, under first-year coach Cindy Blodgett, exemplifies the term "rebuilding year." With a remarkable amount of individual talent, the Black Bears have not been allowed the time they need to fully meld together as a team, due to being thrust into a difficult early season schedule against powerhouse programs. However, the inexperienced team has already shown their tenacity, hanging tough against high-profile competition.
In the midst of an eight-game, month-long road trip that includes such notable competition as Big East teams Massachusetts and St. John's, as well as the ACC's Boston College and Miami, the Bears' schedule won't get any easier for a long time to come. This past Sunday, UMaine still couldn't catch a break, despite playing hard against a high-powered Fairfield University squad, who so far is looking like a tournament-bound team.
Fairfield took full advantage of home-court from the gun. The Stags came out firing, scoring the first points of the game 17 seconds in. Fairfield then proceeded to shoot 47 percent for the rest of the first half, compared to just 36 percent from UMaine, and opened up a commanding lead. By halftime, the Stags had a 39-21 advantage.
UMaine, led by sophmore guard Amanda Tewksbury, who scored 12 points in the contest, seemed revitalized in the second half. They shot 52 percent from the floor, and 75 percent from beyond the arc. The UMaine bench outscored their Fairfield counterparts 29-19. However, the Stags lead from their first half proved to be insurmountable, and the teams ended up ultimately trading buckets for the duration of the second half. The Stags would take the contest 76-54.
With the loss, the Black Bears drop to 1-6, and Fairfield improves to 6-1. Although the scoreboard shows a masterful Fairfield victory, what the Black Bears should take from the contest is their ability to rally at halftime and improve in the second half of the game. Perhaps most notable for UMaine, their bench proved it could contribute to the game. Led by Tewksbury, who was the high scorer for her second straight game, the Black Bears showed their ability to hang in against nationally notable competition.
The Black Bears will continue the toughest road trip of the season on Saturday, Dec.8 at the University of Massachusetts. The game will prove to be another match-up with a large-conference foe and another opportunity for Blodgett and her young team to see, and hopefully show off, what they are made of.
Be the first to comment on this story