Bold claim: The Maine women’s basketball team pulled off a dramatic road win that defied the odds. But here’s where it gets controversial: does this late-game surge prove they can close out against tougher opponents, or was Quinnipiac’s fatigue the real story? Either way, the Black Bears delivered a memorable comeback and a crucial victory that showcases their resilience.
The Maine squad erased an 11-point deficit at Quinnipiac to secure a 63-55 road win on Sunday afternoon. The turnaround hinged on a dominant second half, where Maine outscored the Bobcats 40-25 and claimed momentum with each passing minute.
Leading the charge was Adrianna Smith, who generated 18 points and a career-best 20 rebounds. This performance marked her seventh double-double of the season and moved her into seventh place on Maine’s all-time rebounding list. Asta Blauenfeldt contributed 15 points, and rookie Lala Woods, making her collegiate debut, added eight points off the bench.
Maine shot 45.3 percent from the floor and knocked down seven of 19 three-point attempts, while also winning the rebound battle 38-35. The game featured six lead changes and seven ties, with Maine briefly ahead 13-10 after the first quarter but trailing 30-23 at halftime following a tough second period.
In the third quarter, the Black Bears used a 10-0 run to flip the script, aided by consecutive three-pointers from Olivia Alvarez and Smith. Blauenfeldt’s fast-break layup pulled Maine within one, though Quinnipiac answered with a 7-0 burst to reclaim an eight-point edge.
Maine closed the third strong, finishing with a 6-0 run to head into the fourth tied or within reach. Blauenfeldt opened the final period with a layup to knot the game, and Woods buried a timely triple to give Maine its first lead of the frame at 48-47 with 7:34 remaining.
The seesaw nature of the final stretch produced two more ties before Blauenfeldt’s clutch three gave the Black Bears a 55-52 edge with just over two minutes left. Quinnipiac answered with another triple to force a seventh tie, but Smith answered with a driving layup from the top of the key, putting Maine ahead 57-55.
Smith then sparked an 8-0 closing run, sealing a 63-55 victory and delivering Maine’s first road win of the season.
Maine now heads to Harvard on December 21 to wrap up non-conference play.
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