Coming into this season, there were plenty of questions about how the University of Maine women’s basketball team would fare after the loss of three senior standouts.

Based on the first three games, it appears the Black Bears are going to be just fine.

Coach Ann McInerney’s team cruised to victories over marginal teams in Rider and Kennesaw State, then played well in its first true test, a 70-63 loss to Dartmouth in Saturday’s Dead River Co. Classic game.

The Big Green (3-0), the defending Ivy League champions, are likely to be as good as any team UMaine will face in America East. Based on that, the Bears may have the potential to challenge for the conference championship.

“I was extremely pleased with our effort,” McInerney said.

UMaine is developing what should be one of the most potent and balanced frontcourts in the Northeast. The starting trio is averaging 39 points and 26.3 rebounds, helping the Bears outrebound their opponents by an average of 17.

“That’s very promising as far as what we can do when we get the ball inside,” McInerney said.

Senior center Abby Schrader (13 points, 8.7 rebounds per game) was a major force against Dartmouth. If she can remain consistent, Schrader could emerge as an all-conference-caliber player.

Senior forward Katie Whittier of New Gloucester (13 ppg, 11.3 rpg) is off to an impressive start in her first season as a starter. She has been tenacious while grabbing a team-high 34 rebounds and has posted a double-double in all three games. She is shooting 59 percent from the floor.

Junior Bracey Barker of Bar Harbor (12 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.3 apg) is re-acclimating herself to the wing position. She hasn’t found her outside shooting touch yet, but has been a good passer.

Shoring up the frontcourt is junior center Lindsey Hugstad-Vaa (5.3 ppg, 1.7 rpg).

The Bears’ guard rotation is a work in progress. Sophomore Margaret Elderton (5.3 ppg, 3.7 apg) is slowly regaining her form as she comes back from offseason knee surgery. She has logged 23 minutes per game, demonstrating court leadership and aggressive offensive play.

Junior Ashley Underwood of Benton (13 ppg, 2.7 apg), .450 3-pt. percentage) has been steady while also shouldering some ballhandling duties.

UMaine is going to need sophomore guards Ameshia Bryant (3 ppg, 5 rpg) and Kris Younan and freshman guard Brittany Bowen to develop quickly to provide much-needed backcourt depth.

“I think we need more consistency from our bench players,” McInerney said.

UMaine has committed its share of turnovers (18.3 per contest), but has shown pretty good on-court chemistry.

The Bears hope to continue their development during Wednesday’s 7:30 p.m. nonleague game against Rhode Island at Alfond Arena in Orono.

“I’m hoping that as we continue to grow as a team, [that] we can take some of the good things, because I think there were some very good things in the [Dartmouth] game.”

UMF players all-region picks

Kristy Veazie of Dexter highlights a list of three University of Maine-Farmington senior field hockey players to be named to the All-New England East Team by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association.

Veazie is joined by Mary Sinclair of New Sharon and Mary Berry of Norridgewock.

Veazie, a forward, was a first-team honoree after posting 16 goals and eight assists for the 11-6 Beavers.

Sinclair, a midfielder, was second on the team with 19 points (eight goals, three assists) while Berry, a back, provided two goals and two assists while helping the Beavers limit opponents to 27 goals in 17 games (1.6 per game).