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PORTLAND – Cindy Blodgett referred to Sunday’s season opener as a big dose of reality for the University of Maine’s four first-year players.
For Northeastern, the reality is, the Huskies can’t stop Blodgett, and they aren’t any match for the Black Bears.
Blodgett scored 22 of her 31 points during a blistering first-half performance as Maine rolled to an 81-54 America East basketball victory in the Dead River Company Shootout at the Cumberland County Civic Center.
A record 6,517 fans, the most ever to watch a UMaine women’s game in Maine, paid to watch the Black Bears tip off the final season of the Blodgett era. The senior from Clinton responded, connecting for 18 points in the first 11 minutes and making sure Maine started strong.
After the game, hundreds of fans waited in line to have items autographed by Blodgett and the Bears.
“It’s unfortunate that we are in Orono and a lot of people can’t make the trip for every home game, so it’s nice that people down here get a chance,” Blodgett said.
“This is definitely a big dose of reality to come down here and come out in front of this many people. Happening the first game, it should be easier for everyone.”
Blodgett also contributed four rebounds, three assists and two steals and did not commit a turnover in 30 minutes.
Coach Joanne Palombo-McCallie’s Bears put on a show while building a 30-point, first-half advantage. Maine shot a blistering 70 percent (19-for-27) from the field in the half.
Maine pressed full-court, utilizing relentless defensive pressure to make the Huskies use up time and effort to set up their offense. More importantly, the Bears shut off the middle using a matchup zone and man-to-man defense, forcing Northeastern to settle for perimeter shots.
The lead more than stood up, even after Maine’s execution leveled off after halftime. The Bears’ biggest problem was turnovers as they committed 26 in the game.
“There were times we were very sloppy with the ball, and there were times Northeastern did a great job [defensively],” Palombo said. “That is far too many turnovers.”
The Bears were bolstered by the return of sophomore guard/forward Katie Clark of Bangor. Clark, was cleared for full action last week after undergoing foot surgery and six months of rehabilitation.
“When I finally got called in I was really excited, very nervous,” Clark said. “Defense is definitely my thing and I just wanted to go out there and give a spark.”
The tenacious 6-footer played 12 minutes Sunday, providing seven points, two assists, and plenty of defensive intensity.
“We were so thrilled to have Katie back,” Palomobo said. “I can’t even begin to tell you what kind of intensity she gives us, the way she comes off the bench.”
Despite 4-for-11 shooting in the second half, Maine center Jamie Cassidy finished with 16 points and asserted herself underneath while grabbing 15 rebounds.
“I was struggling a little bit offensively, so I tried to go to some of my other strengths,” Cassidy said.
Maine outrebounded Northeastern 50-34.
Kristen McCormick scored nine points, Klara Danes provided seven points and six rebounds, Martina Tinklova added five points and seven rebounds, and Amy Vachon handed out seven assists and made two steals.
Tesha Tinsley paced Northeastern with 15 points and six assists. Beth Hanewald added eight points.
Blodgett played with midseason precision and intensity, spearheading Maine’s opportunistic transition offense. Blodgett was directly involved with six consecutive Black Bear baskets during the 15-2 flurry that established Maine’s superiority.
Blodgett fed McCormick for a 19-foot jumper that gave the Bears a 6-4 lead with barely two minutes gone. The senior point guard followed that up with a driving basket, then hit Cassidy for a low-post hoop.
Wanda Almengot hit an 18-footer for the Huskies, but Blodgett nailed a 3-pointer and a 17-footer from the baseline 23 seconds apart. Blodgett found Cassidy in the lane for a fast-break basket, then Tinklova scored off a McCormick miss as the Bears went in front 19-6 with 13:43 left in the half.
Bears 81, Huskies 54
Northeastern (1-1) Maine women (1-0)
Name G AG F AF TP Name G AG F AF TP
Herzog 3 11 0 0 6 Danes 3 4 1 4 7
Almengot 2 4 0 0 4 Carver 0 1 0 2 0
Palecek 0 3 0 0 0 Cassidy 7 15 2 4 16
Tinsley 7 18 0 0 15 McCormick 4 9 0 0 9
Jackson 3 8 0 0 7 Blodgett 11 19 5 5 31
Neil 0 1 2 3 2 Macream 0 0 0 0 0
Destefano 0 0 2 2 2 K. Clark 2 6 3 4 7
Delain 0 1 0 0 0 Lawson 0 0 0 0 0
Burroughs 1 2 0 0 2 Vachon 1 2 2 2 4
Hanewald 2 5 4 4 8 Lopez 0 2 0 0 0
Dimaria 2 4 0 0 4 Tinklova 1 2 3 4 5
Bright 0 4 0 0 0 A. Clark 1 1 0 0 2
Lawrence 2 5 0 1 4
Totals 22 66 8 10 54 Totals 30 61 16 25 81
Northeastern 27 54
Maine 50 81
3-pt. goals: Northeastern (2-17): Herzog 0-5, Tinsley 1-4, Jackson 1-5, Hanewald 0-1; Maine (5-11): Carver 0-1, Cassidy 0-2, McCormick 1-2, Blodgett 4-5, Lopez 0-1
Attendance: 6,517
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