Forster Scores 25 to Lead UAlbany Women to an 86-54 Rout of Maine
ORONO, Maine - Julie
Forster finished with a game-high 25 points and 11 rebounds for her fourth double-double
of the season, leading UAlbany to an 86-54 rout of Maine on the road at Alfond
Arena in America East Conference women's basketball action on Saturday
afternoon. The Great Danes improve to 20-3 on the season and 11-0 in America
East play, while Maine falls to 2-21 overall and 1-9 in league action.
UAlbany took a quick 4-0 lead, but Maine responded with a
3-pointer from by Courtney Anderson to pull within 6-5. Sarah Royals put in two
free throws after the first media timeout of the game to push the Great Dane
lead to 10-5 with 15:37 left to play. UAlbany could not get the Black Bears to
fold easily, as Maine hung within two, 14-12, with 12:54 left to play, as
Ashleigh Roberts hit a free throw. 30
seconds later, Roberts drained a 3-pointer to cut the UAlbany lead to one,
prompting the Great Danes to take a free throw.
Maine took its first lead of the game on a 3-pointer by
Brittany Wells with 10:45 on the clock to put the Black Bears on top of the
defending champions, 18-16. The Great Danes responded, tying the score at 18-18
as Megan Craig took an assist from Margarita Rosario. After Maine took another
two-point lead, Forster tied the game as Great Danes took off, scoring nine
unanswered points to take a 27-20 lead. Maine's Liz Wood made a layup at 4:06
to pull back within five before the final media timeout of the first. Despite
some scrappy play by the Black Bears, UAlbany wasn't going to fold easily,
ending the first half on a 22-4 run to hold a 40-24 lead at the halftime break.
UAlbany continued to roll as the second half started,
extending the lead to 21, 51-30, on a steal and layup by Ebone Henry with 16:12
left to play. The Great Danes built up a 25-point lead on a layup by Keyana
Williams at 14:30, but Maine cut its deficit to 19 on a fast break layup by
Wells at 12:49. Tammy Phillip and Shereesha Richards connected on back-to-back
baskets to push the Great Dane lead back to 61-38 with 11:45 on the clock.
With 6:47 left to play, Forster pushed the UAlbany lead to
the greatest of the day at 29 points, 74-45, with a 3-pointer. Maine attempted
to rally, but the Great Danes were having none of it, as they held onto a huge
advantage throughout the remainder of the game, including a 30-point lead,
77-47 on two free throws with 4:06 to play. UAlbany held on for its 12th
straight victory, getting back-to-back treys from Margarita Rosario and Erin
Coughlin to set the 32-point final margin.
Along with Forster, UAlbany got double-digit scoring totals
from Lowrie (14 points) and Henry (13 points).
The Great Danes shot 47 percent (35-75) from the floor, while also out-rebounding
the Black Bears, 46-36. UAlbany also forced the Great Danes into 24 turnovers,
including 12 steals.
UAlbany will have a week off before heading to Hartford to
take on the Hawks on Sunday, Feb. 17 at 2 p.m.
