BANGOR, Maine — The University of Maine women’s basketball team proved again on Monday that’s it’s nice to have options.
The Black Bears shelved their 2-3 matchup zone in favor of player-to-player and afforded Binghamton University only 34 points over the last 31-plus minutes to set the tone for a 70-48 America East victory in a Martin Luther King Jr. Day matinee at the Cross Insurance Center.
“Our man defense really was kind of what got us going because we felt like we were giving up too many 3’s in our zone again,” said UMaine head coach Richard Barron.
“We went straight man the second half and the pace of the game really slowed down from the first eight minutes where they scored 14 points,” he added.
The Black Bears held the Bearcats to 36 percent shooting.
UMaine also demonstrated its offensive versatility as Mikaela Gustafsson complemented double-doubles by Sigi Koizar and Liz Wood to help the Black Bears (12-6, 4-1 AE) notch their fourth straight win.
Koizar, a sophomore guard, led the way with 17 points on 7-for-11 shooting and provided 11 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Wood, a junior forward, tallied 16 points, 11 rebounds, three steals and two assists.
Gustafsson, a 6-foot-2 forward from Sweden, made six of nine shots on her way to 12 points while helping UMaine control the middle.
“Especially this game when we knew we would have a size advantage inside, I had that confidence to know that I could go in and post up those players because I had that advantage and props to my teammates for getting me the ball,” Gustafsson said.
UMaine outscored Binghamton (4-15, 2-4 AE) 32-18 in the paint and scored 17 points off 15 Bearcat turnovers.
Sophie Weckstrom contributed nine points and three assists, Courtney Anderson of Greene dished out five assists with no turnovers and Bella Swan also provided a productive 20 minutes, including three steals.
“I think we’re playing more aggressively offensively,” Koizar said of the Black Bears, who shot 48 percent (29-for-60), outrebounded Binghamton 38-31 and committed only 11 turnovers.
Imani Watkins (five assists) and Jasmine Sina tossed in 14 points each to pace Binghamton, while Sherae Swinson tallied a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Kim Albrecht also netted 10 points.
UMaine took a 33-24 lead into the locker room at the break, spearheaded by 13 points and six rebounds from Koizar.
The Black Bears limited the Bearcats to only 10 points over the last 11:58 of the period.
UMaine overcame seven turnovers — and the resulting nine Binghamton points — with 45 percent shooting from the floor (14-for-31).
The difference may have been the Black Bears’ ability to get the ball into the paint and their 3-point shooting once Binghamton fell back into a 2-3 zone.
The hosts led only 22-20 after Watkins made a 3-pointer for the Bearcats, but used a 7-0 surge to pull in front. Weckstrom got things started with a 3-pointer from the left corner, and Gustafsson hit a little jump hook from close range.
Koizar split the defense for a layup that elicited a Binghamton timeout, only to have Gustafsson score from down low off an Anderson pass in transition to push UMaine’s advantage to 31-20, its largest lead, with 3:13 to play in the half.
“We felt like this was a game where we could take advantage inside and Mikaela certainly did that,” Barron said. “It was good to see that production from her around the basket.”
Gustafsson and Wood were the catalysts during a 5-0 run that pushed the Bears’ lead to 15 points with 12:32 remaining.
Gustafsson used an up-and-under move to score the first hoop, then Wood made a steal that led to her free throw. Gustafsson converted a scoop shot on another low-post move to make it 49-34.
“Coming here I wasn’t used to playing a 5 (post) and I’m starting to get more and more comfortable with it,” she explained. “I’m starting to find confidence in being that kind of player.”
UMaine put the game out of reach as Swan scored twice to spark a 13-3 rally that pushed the advantage to 65-42 with 4:31 to play.
UMaine now awaits Vermont for Thursday’s 5:30 p.m. America East game at the Cross Insurance Center. The Black Bear men play UMBC at 8 p.m. in the nightcap of the doubleheader.