Bears eager for conference play

ORONO – It has been a difficult last month for the University of Maine women’s basketball team.

With senior Bracey Barker out with a fractured right wrist, the Black Bears lost four in a row during a stretch of six consecutive road games.

The outlook has been a bit brighter lately for coach Ann McInerney’s team (6-5), which begins America East play tonight with a 7 o’clock game against border rival New Hampshire at Alfond Arena.

UMaine hasn’t played at home since Nov. 25.

“Finally, it’s been a while,” said senior Ashley Underwood of Benton. “It’s nice to finally be back, and especially when it’s our conference opener against a huge rival, UNH.”

The Bears are feeling much better about themselves coming off a solid effort in a loss to Atlantic Coast Conference member Virginia and a victory over Northwestern State (La.) in their last outing at the Marriott Cavalier Classic.

While the team has struggled without Barker in the lineup, it has begun to show signs of putting its game back together.

“We had to look for other people to step up and [try] different plays and what worked and what didn’t work,” said senior Katie Whittier of New Gloucester. “I think we got stronger. And as much as it stunk not having her [Barker] there, we improved. I think it helped us and we’ll be even better when she gets back.”

Barker’s return to action hinges in part on a visit to the doctor scheduled for Wednesday evening. She attended an afternoon shootaround at Alfond Arena but did not participate with the rest of the team.

Barker’s wrist is not in a cast and she has been riding a stationary bike and doing some lefthanded dribbling on the sidelines during practices.

UMaine athletics spokesman Doug DeBiase said Barker has not experienced any setbacks during her recovery.

“She’s such a tough competitor and she’ll do anything to get back on the court,” McInerney said. “When the time is right, she’ll be there and we’re just hoping to continue building the team with or without her and when she does make an appearance, it will be a special feeling for everybody.”

In Barker’s absence, UMaine has been trying to get more consistency and production from some of its role players and younger players.

“Now everyone’s kind of stepped up their games,” Underwood said. “They know what they can do, have more confidence, and are more comfortable because they’ve had to play more.”

Having spent so much time on the road, and enduring tough times, the Bears have been building their team chemistry.

“I think it allowed us to come together as a team, do a lot of team bonding,” McInerney said. “But nothing is like coming home and playing in front of this crowd, so we’re really looking forward to doing that.”

Bear tracks: Redshirt freshman Brittany Boser is not expected to be available tonight as she recovers from a knee injury suffered in the Dec. 28 game at Virginia. The forward, who was hurt in a collision while drawing a player-control foul, had an ice wrap on the knee during Wednesday’s shootaround at Alfond Arena.