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Basketball

Resilient Black Bears Poised for Repeat Glory

2024-10-31

The University of Maine women's basketball team, the reigning America East Champions, held an open media practice today, signaling the start of a new season filled with high expectations and a determination to defend their title. Despite facing significant roster changes, the Black Bears remain confident in their ability to overcome challenges and continue their winning ways.

Primed for a Repeat Performance

Adapting to Roster Shifts

The Black Bears may have lost key contributors from last year's championship squad, but they are embracing the opportunity to forge a new identity. The departure of Adrianna Smith due to a season-ending injury and the graduation of Anne Simon have left a significant void in the team's scoring and rebounding production. However, Head Coach Amy Vachon believes her players are up to the task of filling those gaps."We were picked number one when Adi was still in the lineup, Adi is not in the lineup anymore. Like I said, we lost 40 points and 20 rebounds, I don't think our team is thinking it's going to be given to us by any means. We have a lot of work to do, and it starts every day in practice and starts on Monday," Vachon emphasized, underscoring the team's determination to prove their worth despite the roster changes.

Embracing a Fresh Start

The Black Bears' success last season has not gone unnoticed, as they were voted as the number one team in the conference's pre-season poll. However, the players understand that past achievements do not guarantee future success. Graduate Student Forward Caroline Bornemann articulated this sentiment, stating, "I mean, we're obviously super excited about winning last season, but that's last season. I mean, this is a new season, and we start from a fresh every year."This mindset of starting anew and embracing the challenges ahead is a testament to the team's resilience and determination. The Black Bears are well aware that they must prove themselves all over again, and they are eager to rise to the occasion.

Home Court Advantage

The Black Bears will have the opportunity to begin their season on their home court, a privilege they have not enjoyed since 2019. This homecoming is sure to provide a boost of energy and support from their loyal fans, who have witnessed the team's rise to the top of the America East Conference."The first time since 2019 they begin their season on home court," the article notes, underscoring the significance of this homecoming for the Black Bears. With the familiar surroundings and the backing of their community, the team will undoubtedly be motivated to start their campaign on a high note.

Embracing the Challenge

Despite the roster changes and the target on their backs as the reigning champions, the Black Bears remain undaunted. They understand that the path to repeating as champions will not be easy, but they are embracing the challenge with open arms.As Coach Vachon aptly stated, "We have a lot of work to do, and it starts every day in practice and starts on Monday." This unwavering commitment to improvement and a relentless work ethic will be the driving force behind the Black Bears' quest for continued success.The University of Maine women's basketball team has proven their mettle, and they are poised to once again showcase their resilience and determination on the court. With a fresh start, a supportive home crowd, and a deep well of talent, the Black Bears are ready to embark on a new journey towards defending their title and cementing their place as a dominant force in the America East Conference.

The Bulldogs' highly anticipated season opener against the College of Saint Mary Flames ended in a disappointing 73-60 defeat on Thursday night (Oct 31). Despite a valiant effort, the team struggled with turnovers and shooting woes, ultimately falling short in their quest for a season-opening victory.

Bulldogs Determined to Rebound After Tough Loss

Turnover Troubles Plague Bulldogs in First Half

The Bulldogs found themselves in an early hole, committing a staggering 14 turnovers in the first half alone. These miscues proved costly, as the Flames were able to capitalize, converting the turnovers into 10 points and building a lead as large as 15 points. The Bulldogs' struggles extended to the field, where they shot just 33% (8/24) in the first half, further compounding their offensive woes.

Bulldogs Mount Comeback Attempt, but Ultimately Fall Short

Refusing to go down without a fight, the Bulldogs came alive in the third quarter, forcing the Flames into bad shots and generating turnovers of their own. This defensive intensity allowed the Bulldogs to claw their way back, cutting the Flames' lead to just two points with 7:29 left in the quarter. However, the comeback attempt eventually faded away, as the Flames responded with a timely three-pointer to push the lead back out to seven.

Turnovers and Missed Opportunities Doom Bulldogs in Fourth Quarter

The Bulldogs made another push in the fourth quarter, once again bringing the lead down to just two points. But turnovers and missed opportunities continued to plague the team, and they were unable to complete the comeback. The Bulldogs finished the game with a total of 22 turnovers and never held the lead at any point during the contest.

Bright Spots Emerge in Bulldogs' Debut

Despite the disappointing result, the Bulldogs did see some promising individual performances. Laura Guillamat-Ribo shone in her debut, leading the team with 17 points and 3 assists. Newcomer Kennedy Smith also made an immediate impact, recording a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds in her first collegiate game.

Bulldogs Eager to Bounce Back in Second Game of St. Mary Classic

The Bulldogs will have a chance to redeem themselves on Friday, November 1, as they take on Peru State College in the second and final game of the St. Mary Classic. Tipoff is set for 6:00 pm, and the team is determined to learn from their mistakes and come out with a stronger performance.

LSU's head coach Matt McMahon is not holding back when it comes to his aspirations for the Tigers' upcoming season. After a decisive 110-48 victory over Loyola (New Orleans) on Tuesday, McMahon made it clear that his sights are set on taking the program to new heights, with the ultimate goal of securing a spot in the NCAA Tournament and making a deep run in the tournament.

Elevating the Tigers to New Levels of Excellence

Embracing the Urgency of November and December

McMahon emphasized the importance of capitalizing on the non-conference opportunities that lie ahead, recognizing the urgency to make a strong statement early in the season. "We've talked about the urgency we have to have in November and December to take advantage of some of the non-conference opportunities that we'll have on our schedule," he said. The Tigers will look to use these early-season matchups as a springboard to propel themselves into conference play, where they aim to establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with.

Unlocking the Team's Full Potential

The head coach's vision for the Tigers extends beyond just making the NCAA Tournament; he wants to see his team reach its full potential and become the best version of itself. "To me, it's all about just focus on, 'How do we get better every day? How do we build the chemistry of our team?'" McMahon explained. By emphasizing continuous improvement and fostering strong team chemistry, the Tigers hope to position themselves for sustained success throughout the season.

Embracing High Expectations

McMahon's unwavering confidence in his team's abilities is evident, as he refuses to place any limitations on their potential. "You don't come to LSU to play in the NIT. You come to LSU to build a program that gets to the NCAA Tournament and wins games in the tournament," he declared. This bold statement underscores the Tigers' ambition to not only reach the big dance but to make a lasting impact once they get there.

Showcasing Offensive Firepower

The Tigers' impressive performance against Loyola (New Orleans) provided a glimpse into their offensive prowess. LSU shot an efficient 48.7% from beyond the arc, with the team recording 22 assists on their 39 made field goals. This balanced and unselfish approach to the game suggests that the Tigers possess the necessary tools to overwhelm their opponents with their scoring ability.

Standout Individual Performances

Senior guard Cam Carter led the charge for the Tigers, pouring in a team-high 21 points while shooting 5-8 from downtown. Carter's impressive outing was not an isolated incident, as six LSU players scored in double figures during the exhibition game. This depth of scoring talent bodes well for the Tigers' ability to spread the wealth and keep defenses off-balance throughout the season.

Continuous Improvement and Growth

If the Tigers can maintain the same rate of improvement they displayed last season, their fans have plenty to look forward to. In McMahon's first year at the helm, the team finished with a 14-19 overall record and a 2-16 mark in conference play. However, last season saw a significant turnaround, as the Tigers finished 17-16 and 9-9 against conference opponents. This trajectory of steady progress suggests that the team is on the cusp of a breakthrough, and the upcoming season could be the one where they truly make their mark.

Silencing the Doubters

Despite the Tigers' evident potential, not everyone is convinced of their prowess. In the preseason poll, the media voted LSU to finish 14th in the conference, a prediction that seems to clash with McMahon's ambitious vision. The Tigers will have an early opportunity to prove the doubters wrong, as they kick off their regular season on November 6th against UL Monroe, a game that will be aired live on ESPN+.