Blodgett close to two NCAA scoring marks

Record-breaking guard Cindy Blodgett continues to close in on more basketball milestones as the University of Maine moves into the middle third of its season.

Blodgett’s scoring clip of 29.4 points per game keeps her on a pace to become the all-time leading scorer in NCAA women’s basketball history this season.

The Bears’ senior sensation scored 53 points in the Miami Holiday Classic, pushing her career total to 2,536 in 100 games. That moves her into 19th place on the Division I career scoring list.

Assuming UMaine plays 30 games this season, which would include winning the America East title and playing at least one NCAA tournament game, Blodgett must average 26.7 points in her final 22 games to set the record.

She’s chasing Patricia Hoskins of Mississippi Valley State, who poured in 3,122 points in 110 games from 1985-89.

Blodgett could even surpass the NCAA all-divisions scoring mark. Jeannie Demers of Division III Buena Vista holds that distinction, scoring 3,171 points from 1984-87.

On that front, Blodgett would have to average a career-high 28.9 points with a minimum of 22 more games this season to emerge with that prestigious honor.

Blodgett also is bidding to become the first player to lead the country in scoring for three straight seasons. Only Andrea Congreaves of Mercer had done it twice (1991-92 and ’92-93) before Blodgett accomplished the feat.

While scoring is what Blodgett is best known for, her playmaking and defensive ability are backed up by statistics as well.

Blodgett, who dished out 16 assists in two games at Miami, now boasts 404 for her career and needs only 23 to become UMaine’s all-time leader. Julia Treadwell totaled 426 from 1980-84.

On the other side of the ball, Blodgett also is on track to set the school record for steals. Her 287 thefts rank second behind Liz Coffin, who picked off 309 during a career that covered 1984-88.

Fans of the University of Maine women’s basketball team shouldn’t be alarmed that the Black Bears suffered their second loss of the season Sunday against Miami.

UMaine’s 6-2 start is the best for the program since the 1986-87 team bolted to a 12-0 record.

However, coach Joanne Palombo-McCallie is the first to admit the Bears have not established the kind of defensive cohesiveness they need to succeed against NCAA tournament-caliber teams. On Sunday, Maine had its hands full with the quicker Hurricanes, who forced the Bears to abandon their full-court zone pressure early.

“They were a lot quicker than Wisconsin, but not as big,” said Palombo, who wants the Bears to learn from the game.

“I’ll honestly say there are no excuses,” Palombo said. “We have a chance to be a very good team. Miami played well, but we have to hold ourselves accountable.”

The Black Bears rank last among America East teams, having allowed 71.9 points per game. That statistic may be attributable in part to Maine’s testy early schedule.

Maine’s opponents have included Wisconsin, now ranked 11th, along with Miami, Atlantic 10 mainstay Massachusetts, and perennial America East contender Vermont.

Opponents are shooting 41 percent against the Bears.

Offensively, Maine has been plenty potent and leads the league in four of five offensive categories. The Bears are averaging a healthy 84.4 points per outing on 51 percent floor shooting. They have hit 37 percent of their 3-point attempts.

Blodgett leads America East and the nation in scoring with 29.4 points per game, while sophomore center Jamie Cassidy ranks third in the conference at 17.6 points per game.

Blodgett and sophomore backcourt mate Amy Vachon also are among the most prolific playmakers in the league. Vachon leads America East with 6.1 assists per game, while Blodgett has handed out 5.9 per contest.