The Maine Black Bears women’s basketball team lost to No. 1 Vermont, 61-43, in the America East Championship on March 13 at Patrick Gymnasium in Burlington, Vermont.
The game was significant as it determined the conference champion and a potential berth in postseason play. Despite a strong performance from Adrianna Smith, who recorded her 58th career double-double with 22 points and 15 rebounds, Maine was unable to overcome Vermont’s lead.
Smith shot 7-for-18 from the field and made eight of ten free throws. Lala Woods contributed eight points, including two three-pointers, while Asta Blauenfeldt added seven points. The Black Bears finished with a shooting percentage of 28.8 percent (15-for-52) but managed only seven turnovers, marking their fourteenth game this season with single-digit turnovers.
Maine started the game on a promising note with a 9-2 run, highlighted by early scoring from Smith and Blauenfeldt and a three-pointer from Woods. However, Vermont responded with a decisive 19-2 run to take control of the game. By halftime, Maine trailed by eight points after closing the second quarter on a brief scoring streak.
Vermont extended its lead in the third quarter and maintained control throughout the second half. Although Smith scored consecutive baskets early in the fourth quarter to reduce the deficit to thirteen points, Maine could not close the gap further.
The loss concludes Maine’s run in the America East Championship for this season.
