Bears squelch ‘Cats, post 6th straight win

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VESTAL, N.Y. – The University of Maine women’s basketball team’s initial trip to Binghamton University last season resulted in a 14-point loss.

This time, the Black Bears made sure the 10-hour ride home to Orono was much more enjoyable. UMaine turned in an impressive defensive performance Saturday, limiting Binghamton to 28 percent shooting and outrebounding the Bearcats by a substantial margin while earning a 64-45 America East victory at West Gymnasium.

“The biggest thing when you play away is you’ve got to play tremendous defense. And you’ve got to get to the foul line,” Maine coach Sharon Versyp said.

The Bears registered their sixth straight win, the longest under third-year coach Versyp, while improving to 10-4 overall and 3-0 in conference play. UMaine, the only remaining unbeaten team in league play, led from the tipoff until the final buzzer, extending its advantage to as many as 22 points in the second half.

“Our kids were very focused and real excited,” Versyp said. “It was our first America East road game, so we wanted to make sure we fared very well.”

Binghamton (5-7, 2-1 AE) was unable to generate any consistent offense against the Bears. The Bearcats were hampered by the loss of starting center Nicole Dypolt, who left the game with a knee injury midway through the first half without registering a point.

Junior guard Melissa Heon spearheaded the offense for UMaine with a game- and season-high 19 points on 6-for-9 shooting, including two 3-pointers.

“Melissa did a great job taking the ball to the hole, getting to the foul line, and she was able to knock down a couple of 3’s, which she’s been struggling with,” Versyp said. “Melissa’s been playing with a lot of heart and soul and leadership.”

Heather Ernest of Temple posted her fifth double-double of the season, scoring 16 points and grabbing a season-best 15 rebounds. The junior added three assists and did not commit a turnover.

“That’s [no turnovers] the first thing she and I looked at. I was very pleased with her display,” Versyp said. “It was a very physical game and she was battling, diving on the floor.”

Freshman center Abby Schrader contributed eight points and nine rebounds, while Kim Corbitt added four assists and two steals. Eleven of UMaine’s 12 players scored at least two points and grabbed a rebound.

UMaine committed 16 turnovers.

Freshman Jennifer Blues was the lone double-figure scorer for Binghamton with 12 points.

The Bearcats trailed 34-21 at halftime, but were within 10 with a chance to cut the deficit to single digits six minutes into the second half.

Binghamton failed to take advantage and Heon hit a 3-pointer at the 13:26 mark that set off a game-breaking 15-4 scoring spurt for the Bears. After two free throws by Binghamton’s Molly Miller, Ernest made two foul shots, Monica Peterson connected on a short jumper, Ernest converted a layup, and Heon made two from the line to make it 50-31 with 9:43 to play.

Blues countered with a layup for the hosts, but a hoop by Corbitt and two Ellen Geraghty free throws kept the Bears in charge.

UMaine built an early lead, pushing it to as many as 15 points in the first half. Schrader scored back-to-back baskets for the Bears during an 11-0 scoring run that also included hoops by Ernest, Heon, Jay, and Missy Traversi. The run made it 16-4.

UMaine returns to Alfond Arena Wednesday night for a key America East game against Vermont. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

BLACK BEARS 64, BEARCATS 45

Maine (10-4) Binghamton (5-7)

Player G AG F AF TP Player G AG AF TP

Ernest 5 9 6 7 16 Miller 0 2 2

Veilleux 1 5 1 1 3 Wegwerth 2 11 0 0 4

Jay 1 5 0 0 2 Dypolt 0 0 0 0

Heon 6 9 5 5 19 Blues 5 13 0 12

Traversi 1 2 0 0 3 Townley 2 7 6

Hickman 1 1 0 0 3 Pluchino 0 0

Corbitt 2 6 0 0 4 Scordino 0 0

Geraghty 0 10 2 2 2 Haubrich 0 3

Gay 1 2 0 0 2 Quam 1 2 0 2

Quacknbush 0 1 0 2 0 Laws 2 5 4

Peterson 1 3 0 0 2 Hibler 0 5 0

Schrader 4 8 0 2 8 Bartula 0 0 4

Forkey 4 7 0 8

Eldridge 0 0 0

Totals 23 61 14 19 64 16 57 11 16 45

Maine 34 64

Binghamton 21 45

3-pt. goals: Maine (4-15): Heon 2-4, Hickman 1-1, Traversi 1-2, Geraghty 0-7, Corbitt 0-1; Binghamton (2-10): Blues 2-5, Miller 0-2, Wegworth 0-1, Townley 0-1, Scordino 0-1

Attendance: 1,105