ORONO – Last year, she was the woman in the middle for the University of Maine Black Bears.

When opposing ballhandlers penetrated the middle, Stacey Porrini’s 6-foot-4 stature and long arms made them think twice about shooting. She blocked 2.5 shots and grabbed 10.3 rebounds per game.

This year, as the Black Bears’ Saturday night loss to Oklahoma State clearly illuminated, she’s no longer the woman in the middle.

She’s a player in the middle of a slump, and a captain forced to fight for playing time due to the Bears new-found depth.

Her minutes are down, from 27.4 per game last year to 20.4 after four outings this year. She averaged 24.7 minutes a game as a sophomore. She’s scoring 5.3 points a game, down from 12.3 ppg and has blocked just two shots in four games.

Most telling, Porrini spent key junctures of Saturday night’s game on the bench. She finished with two points and five rebounds in 17 minutes.

Both coach Joanne Palombo-McCallie and Porrini point out that part of the reason for statistical drops in minutes and output is the play of others – especially 6-4 freshman Jamie Cassidy and 6-1 sophomore Klara Danes.

But Porrini is willing to point the finger at herself as well.

“If I’m not playing well and I’m not doing what I can for the team, I don’t deserve to be out there,” Porrini said. “So I don’t have a problem with my minutes right now. That’s something I need to improve myself. There’s nothing else anyone can do for me.”

Porrini said her problem is primarily mental.

“I just don’t think I’m focusing well enough,” she said. “I know that I have the tools to be a good player and to add to this team. I just don’t think I’ve had the mental focus where it should be.

“That’s my fault, and there’s no one to blame but me for that.”

Palombo said the competition for playing time will help the Black Bears later in the season, and won’t hurt Porrini.

“I think that you go with who’s working hard and playing, and Stacey’s doing fine,” Palombo said. “She’s done some good things and had some struggle games. But it’s not a major concern of mine because I know that she will bounce back.”

Porrini said she hopes that happens soon, and said she expects to play a bigger role for the Bears as the season progresses.

“I’m motivated. I let this go too long,” Porrini said. ” I definitely have a new motivation inside of me, and I’m definitely going to go after something this week.”