Bears followed a narrow path Abrupt end aside, UM’s season marked return to prominence

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – This season’s University of Maine women’s basketball team operated with a small margin for error.

Coach Sharon Versyp’s Black Bears were heavily reliant on their three senior starters, especially guards Kim Corbitt and Missy Traversi.

When both suffered injuries during Thursday’s America East quarterfinal against Boston University, UMaine found out how much its co-captains meant to the team’s success.

The No. 8 Terriers won 63-51, ending the top-seeded Bears’ bid for a second straight conference championship.

Once the shock and disappointment have subsided, the Bears will reflect and realize how much they accomplished this season. Even after losing three of its top six players to graduation, UMaine worked its way back to the top.

“I am so proud of this group,” Versyp said. “On and off the court, I never have to worry about them. They really take care of each other.

“We had incredible leadership this year with [the seniors],” she added. “To be 20-9, to get those 20 wins three years in a row, that’s just an amazing feat for these young women.”

Corbitt, the AE Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, was the Bears’ catalyst at both ends of the court. She and Traversi formed a dangerous backcourt duo that put pressure on opponents at both ends.

With Corbitt (9.1 points per game, 4.3 assists per game) attacking off the dribble and Traversi (13.3 ppg, 3.1 apg) knocking down 3-pointers and initiating the fast break, the door was open for UMaine’s other regulars to do their thing.

Senior forward Monica Peterson provided determined rebounding, polished inside play, and savvy defense. She averaged 9.3 ppg and 6.7 rebounds per game.

Bracey Barker of Bar Harbor had a breakthrough year with 12 ppg and 5.8 rpg. Moving from the perimeter to power forward, the versatile 6-1 sophomore learned how to handle the physicality underneath.

“Hopefully her confidence has been built this year with people that have surrounded her,” Versyp said. “I’m really hoping that she gets more of the mentality that I’m going to get the ball and I’m going to score and become more of a dominant player.”

Sophomore Ashley Underwood of Benton (8.2 ppg) continued her development. Her 3-point shooting and dribble-drive ability gave the team another offensive threat.

The post position was manned by junior Abby Schrader and sophomore Lindsey Hugstad-Vaa. While Schrader was solid (6.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg), UMaine’s post defense was average.

In early January, freshman point guard Margaret Elderton went down with a torn knee ligament and was lost for the season. Classmate Kris Younan wasn’t yet up to the task, leaving UMaine with a thin three-guard rotation.

Junior forward Katie Whittier of New Gloucester provided some quality minutes, while freshman Vandy Pullen played sparingly and classmate Ameshia Bryant was not with the team the second semester because of personal reasons.

After a tough nonconference schedule, UMaine found ways to overcome its conference opponents. The Bears began to gel in league play, but they were walking a fine line.

The seniors, who logged 30-plus minutes per game, led the way while meshing with sophomores Barker, Underwood, and Hugstad-Vaa.

“We figured it out, thank God, by the end of January, so we really started playing together and really finding our identity,” Versyp said.

Underwood credited the seniors, including reserve center Nicole Jay, with bringing the team together and providing critical leadership.

“They’ve given us so much confidence,” Underwood said. “They’ve just been the best leaders, the best seniors. This year, we’ve had no issues, no anything. It was a great year.”

UMaine has some key pieces of the puzzle returning. Barker could become one of the league’s most dominating players, while Underwood is a proven shooter who will continue to expand her game.

The Bears need Schrader to develop some consistency and play within herself. Hugstad-Vaa is a physical presence and must improve her offensive skills, while Whittier should provide depth and experience.

“No one even thought we’d be here,” Underwood said of the Bears’ success. “I think we’re losing a ton of great people and players, but I think we’re going to be OK. We’re still going to be talented.”

Elderton, Younan, Pullen, and Bryant, along with an incoming class of four freshmen, remain unknowns. Elderton’s ability to bounce back from injury and pick up where she left off will be pivotal.

Assuming Versyp isn’t lured away by a big-time program in the meantime, don’t be surprised if she guides a youththful UMaine team back into the title chase again next season.

“They have tremendous potential,” Corbitt said. “They just need to step up big in the leadership role and they can go as far as they want to next year. They’ve just got to work hard, play together, and have fun.”