Black Bears’ inside track UM’s Schrader at home in post

ORONO – On any given night, Abby Schrader can be among the most dominating post players in America East.

When the University of Maine senior is playing her best, the Black Bears are a force to be reckoned with.

The 6-foot-3 center from Point Pleasant, N.J., has been a key contributor during her four seasons at UMaine and has continued to improve her game.

Coach Ann McInerney and the eighth-seeded Bears hope Schrader is saving the best for last as they face No. 9 Albany in Thursday’s 6 p.m. play-in game at the America East Women’s Basketball Championship in West Hartford, Conn.

“When she’s on, we’re on,” McInerney said of Schrader, who ranks third on the team while averaging 11.4 points per game and leads the Bears with 8.1 rebounds per outing.

The most glaring example of Schrader’s potential came March 1 when she poured in a career-high 30 points, including the clinching 3-pointer, in a win over Boston University.

Schrader, who leads the conference with nine double-doubles this season, had promised her teammates a stellar effort in that game.

“She has incredible low-post moves,” McInerney said. “She’s been the focus of other defenses inside. She’s had games this year when she’s been unstoppable.”

Three days later, in the regular-season finale against Stony Brook, Schrader was limited to two points. Teams routinely have double- and triple-teamed her, which has hampered her ability to put up big numbers consistently.

“It all depends on how a team plays you,” Schrader said. “You have to take what they give you.”

While Schrader is an imposing presence underneath, she hasn’t been limited to playing with her back to the basket while posting 812 points and 611 rebounds during her career.

“She is a very versatile kid for a 6-3 post player,” McInerney said. “She can hit that midrange jumper; she can attack the basket and get layups.”

Schrader takes pride in the Bears’ accomplishments, including three postseason appearances (two WNIT, one NCAA) so far in her career.

“I think the greatest moment was when we finally won that conference tournament [against BU in 2004] and were cutting down the nets. It’s something that you always dream of when you’re a kid,” Schrader said.

After graduation, Schrader said she will consider playing pro ball in Europe, where former teammates Heather Ernest, Missy Traversi and Monica Peterson are playing.

And while she has enjoyed UMaine basketball, Schrader is quick to point out why the overall college experience has been so meaningful.

“Basketball gave me the opportunity to come here, but the people you meet along the way that you’ll be friends with forever I think is so important. They’re your family. That’s priceless,” Schrader said.

Schrader, a marketing major, will graduate in May. She plans to work in sales and believes basketball has helped prepare her for the business world.

“I’ve dealt with so much adversity,” she said. “You learn how to deal with a lot of situations that you can take from the court and bring them to the real world.”

Today, Schrader’s thoughts are on Thursday’s tournament game, one that could be her last in a UMaine uniform.

Schrader’s efforts will help determine how far the Bears go.

“She’s such a key to what we need to do,” McInerney said. We need to get her back on track for the game on Thursday night.”