UMaine’s Ernest shows off old form at tourney Black Bears seeking shooting consistency

The University of Maine women’s basketball team is gearing up for its second straight weekend on the road coming off a 1-1 effort at Rice University’s Gene Hackerman Invitational Tournament.

Coach Sharon Versyp’s Black Bears dropped a 59-47 Friday game to then-No. 21 George Washington before bouncing back for a 62-59 win over North Carolina-Greensboro in Saturday’s consolation game.

One of the bright spots for UMaine was the play of sophomore Heather Ernest of Temple. The 6-foot-1 forward, who had averaged only three points and three rebounds in her previous three games.

Ernest provided 15 points and nine rebounds against the Colonials, then led the Bears with 11 points and 10 rebounds against the Spartans on her way to a spot on the all-tournament team.

“She needed to have a great game,” said Versyp, who attributed Ernest’s early struggles to a preseason injury (shin splints). “She was out for two weeks prior to our season, so I think she got out of rhythm.”

Ernest, who led UMaine averaging 13.9 points and 10.3 rebounds last season, appears to have snapped out of her funk.

“She’s back on track,” Versyp said of Ernest, who is averaging 8.3 points and 5.7 rebounds.

The Bears also received steady performances from sophomore forward Julie Veilleux of Augusta, who averaged 12.5 points and 5.0 rebounds, and soph guard Melissa Heon, who added 9.0 points and 3.5 rebounds per outing in Houston.

Bears’ health improving

The UMaine women are hoping to welcome back two players who have missed the entire season with injuries.

Junior guard Ellen Geraghty is expected to return to practice today after sitting out with back spasms. Geraghty, a co-captain, averaged 8.4 points and shot 82 percent from the foul line last season.

Also back is freshman Kelly Manning, who reaggravated a knee injury prior to the Bears’ first exhibition game.

Manning, a 6-0 lefthanded 3-point shooter, was cleared for action after being evaluated by the Colorado doctor who had performed surgery to repair a torn ligament in her knee. That injury forced her to miss her senior high school season.

She will be wearing a brace.

“I’m real excited,” Versyp said. “We haven’t had Ellen, Anna [James] or Kelly. They’re not at full strength, but if they can give me 5-10 minutes, I’ll be happy.”

UMaine dealt with other injuries last week. Freshman guard Kim Corbitt, who missed the Bradley game with a thigh bruise, returned to practice last Thursday and was able to play at Rice.

Missy Traversi, the other freshman point guard, missed three days of practice last week after taking a hard fall in the Xavier game.

Versyp said the injuries have been a factor in the team’s inability to win more games.

“We’re finding ourselves, which is key right now,” Versyp said. “If we were fully healthy, I probably would feel like we should have won a few games that we didn’t. The kids that have played have just played their hearts out.”

Bears shake shooting woes

The UMaine women are coming off an inconsistent shooting weekend at the Rice tourney.

The Bears made only 12 of 23 foul shots (52 percent) and shot a dismal 28 percent (16-for-57) in the loss to George Washington.

“They play a great matchup zone and it did throw us out of our rhythm,” Versyp said.

UMaine rebounded against UNC-Greensboro, shooting 48 percent from the floor, 85 percent from the foul line and 46 percent on 3-pointers.

The Bears hit several clutch free throws late in that game to help pull out the victory.

“We shot 17-for-20 at the free throw line against UNC-Greensboro,” Versyp said. “We haven’t had to play a close game like that and we had to pull it off. I think that was fantastic for us.”

Maine travels to Deland, Fla., for games in the Stetson Tournament Friday and Saturday.