ALBANY, N.Y. – The University at Albany women's basketball program (9-9, 3-2 AE) has played 18 games so far this season. The next on the schedule is the first of two regular-season rematches with Maine, their opponent in last year's America East championship game.
Last year, UAlbany and Maine split their regular season meetings before making it to the tournament final. The Great Danes won in Albany 64-59, and the Black Bears won in Bangor 65-53. After tying for the regular season title with matching 15-1 conference records (the teams tied in 2014 as well when they both went 14-2 in-conference), the teams faced off for a third time, at Albany. The Great Danes eked out a one-point, 59-58 victory to secure their fifth-consecutive America East title.
UAlbany most recently earned its second road win of the season, and first road win in conference play, against Binghamton on Thursday night. After trailing by nine at halftime, the Great Danes put together perhaps their best second-half effort of the season behind senior Imani Tate's 16 third quarter points. The victory righted the ship for the Danes, who had lost two straight heading in to the matchup with the Bearcats, including their first lost at home since February 1, 2015, a span of 24 games.
Maine last lost at New Hampshire, 50-44. The Black Bears have played four of its six conference games so far on the road, but have won both times they have hosted conference opponents, including Hartford, who currently holds the conference's second best record.
With the victory over Binghamton, the Great Danes jump back into third place in the conference standings, behind New Hampshire, who remains undefeated against America East opponents this season, and Hartford, who has just one loss in their conference schedule. Maine currently sits in fifth place.
The visit to Maine closes out a two-game road trip for UAlbany. Next week, the Great Danes will host two games at home, against Vermont on Thursday, and against Hartford on Saturday, to wrap the first cycle through their conference opponents.
THE OUTLOOK: MAINE (10-11, 3-3 AE) | SUNDAY, JAN. 22, 1:00 P.M. | BANGOR, MAINE
Last we met: W, 59-58, Mar. 11, 2016, Albany, N.Y.
Tale of the Tape:
- Maine is 5-1 at home this season; UAlbany is 2-8 on the road
- The Bearcats have lost two of their last three, and six of their last nine
- Maine defeated Dartmouth 60-55; UAlbany lost at Dartmouth 69-61 in overtime
- Maine lost at Miami 76-51; UAlbany lost against Miami 77-53
- Maine defeated UMBC 72-40; UAlbany lost to UMBC 64-56
- Maine defeated UMass Lowell 65-44; UAlbany defeated UMass Lowell 93-69
- Maine lost at Stony Brook 55-41; UAlbany defeated Stony Brook 64-54
- Maine New Hampshire; UAlbany lost at UNH 71-58
Series History: Maine leads 18-16
2015-16 Record: 26-9 (15-1 AE); t-1st America East, America East finalist, WNIT First Round
Top Offensive Player: Sigi Koizar, Sr., G, (12.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.1 apg)
