Maine starts strong Barker bolsters Bears in streak

ORONO – Confidence is a key component in the success of any basketball team. The University of Maine women are playing with plenty of it after winning the Dead River Co. Classic at Alfond Arena.

Coach Ann McInerney’s Black Bears (4-1) are off to the program’s best start since 1997-98, when UMaine opened the season 6-1 on its way to the America East title and an NCAA Tournament berth.

UMaine beat Brown in a solid effort Friday, then overcame a physically talented Clemson squad of the Atlantic Coast Conference while pulling out Saturday night’s buzzer-beating win.

“This is a bunch of kids that have worked together consistently since the beginning of the year,” McInerney said. “We really have a group of young ladies that just fight, fight, fight.”

The Bears hope to extend their winning streak to four games in Wednesday’s nonleague game at Ivy League member Dartmouth.

Clemson coach Cristy McKinney, despite being angry about the officiating in Saturday’s Dead River title game, was impressed by UMaine’s performance.

“Maine does a lot of good things. They’re well-disciplined, they’re well-coached and they play hard,” McKinney said.

“They know who their go-to players are; they go to them,” she added.

A determined nucleus of four seniors, led by Bracey Barker of Bar Harbor and Ashley Underwood of Benton, is setting the tone for the Bears. While they don’t like talking about last season, when the Bears struggled to a 10-19 record, that difficult transition year under a new coaching staff now appears to be helping the team take a huge step forward.

“[The players have been] able to stick through the adversity we had last year and build on that and stay driven,” McInerney said. “I think you’re looking at a bunch of great, driven individuals who want to succeed and came here for a reason.”

Barker has been the catalyst for UMaine, averaging a team- and conference-best 18 points per game. She also leads the team while averaging 6.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists.

Underwood is the Bears’ defensive stopper and top 3-point threat, Katie Whittier of New Gloucester is a versatile two-way forward and Lindsey Hugstad-Vaa gives UMaine a strong post presence. The seniors have combined to average 43.8 points, 18.0 rebounds, 10.2 assists, 2.6 steals and 3.6 blocked shots.

The Bears also have been utilizing three freshmen among their top eight players. Freshman point guard Abby Greene has been an efficient floor leader, small forward Amanda Tewksbury has added some scoring and rebounding punch, and guard Tiffany Colon has been a tough defender who is a scoring threat.

That trio has accounted for 15.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists and 1.6 steals per outing.

Tewksbury sank the game-winning shot at the buzzer against Clemson.

“I think for her to come through with the big shot really sends a big statement about our team this year,” McInerney said.

And junior guard Kris Younan appears poised for a breakout season, giving UMaine an emotional spark with her fast-paced play.

While the season has only begun, the Bears are starting to feel good about their prospects.

“When you can start a season off as well as we’re doing right now, and having contributions from everybody from freshmen to seniors, I think it shows a lot about how our team can bounce back,” Barker said. “It shows a lot about where we’re going this year and if we keep it up, we keep doing the little things that we’re doing now, I think we’re going to have a really good year.”

Maine’s Leveille is day-to-day

University of Maine hockey center and senior captain Michel Leveille did not practice Monday after suffering a back injury in Saturday’s 3-2 loss to Vermont. He received treatments from Maine trainer Mark Badurak instead.

Leveille was checked from behind into the boards from behind by UVM’s Kenny Macaulay early in the second period.

Leveille said he still has stiffness in the middle of his back and listed his status as day-to-day.

Maine entertains Providence College on Friday night.

Leveille is Maine’s leading scorer with 11 goals and eight assists in 12 games.