The University of Maine women’s basketball team is a “work in progress” according to ninth-year head coach Amy Vachon.
There was a solid season-opening showing in a 63-62 loss to a St. Joseph’s University team from Philadelphia that won 24 games a year ago and played in the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament.
Four games later, there was a dismal performance in a 70-39 loss to a Brown University team that was picked to finish fifth in the Ivy League preseason poll. The Black Bears scored only two points in the first quarter, shooting 1-for-14 from the floor, as Brown built a comfortable 21-2 lead.
“We’re still trying to figure things out. We’ve had some really good showings and some not-so-good showings,” Vachon said. “That’s what part of our non-conference schedule is for.
The Black Bears have to replace four players who averaged at least 24 minutes of playing time per game a year ago. Three of those departures were starters, and another, 6-foot-2 forward Caroline Dotsey, was tied for second on the team in scoring.
Dotsey, who transferred to Butler University in Indiana, was chosen the recipient of the America East Sixth Player Award. She averaged 9.7 points per game to go with 2.9 rebounds last season.
All-America East first team forward Caroline Bornemann, the team’s leading scorer (12 points per game) and rebounder (9 rpg) last year, and All-AE third team guard Paula Gallego (7.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg) have used up their eligibility along with guards Olivia Rockwood (6.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg) and Sera Hodgson (5.2 ppg, 1.7 rpg).
“Go through these bumps now so, hopefully, later on in the year we’ll be in a better spot,” said Vachon whose team has also lost to Virginia Commonwealth (81-77) and nationally-ranked North Carolina State (66-47) while posting a 79-53 victory over Stonehill (Mass.).
The return of 2022-23 America East Player of the Year and two-time All-America East first teamer Adrianna Smith, who missed all of last season due to knee surgery, and the play of talented point guard Asta Blauenfeldt have highlighted the early going for the 1-4 Black Bears.
Smith has averaged 18 points, 9 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game, all team-highs.
The league’s premier forward has already had three double-doubles and three games with at least 22 points.
Blauenfeldt, in her second season at UMaine after transferring from Seattle University, is averaging 14.6 points per game and leads the team in steals with nine.
The fleet-footed Blauenfeldt, who was chosen to the all tourney team a year ago when she averaged 16.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2 assists in two playoff games, has emerged as one of the league’s best point guards.
Dating back to the final five games of last season, Blauenfeldt has scored in double figures in her last 10 games and has averaged 15.5 points per game.
Senior guard Sarah Talon from Windham has developed into an exceptional defender and rebounder (5.4 rpg) ppg) and she is also averaging 5.4 points per game. She has eight assists, five steals and three blocked shots.
“She is really focused in on doing the little things for us this year,” Vachon said about Talon. “She understands she can do a lot of things on the floor. She can rebound, she can defend. She’s doing a really good job for us.”
St. Joseph’s University transfer Lizzy Gruber from Gardiner has been a nice addition and the 6-foot-4 forward is averaging 6.8 points and 3.8 rebounds while leading the team with eight blocked shots.
Smith, Blauenfeldt, Talon and Gruber are shooting a combined 44 percent from the floor but the rest of the team is only shooting 24.6 percent.
Overall, the team is shooting 37 percent from the floor, 25.8 percent beyond the three-point arc and just 58.3 percent from the free throw line.
“We’ve got to shoot the ball better,” Vachon said. “We have to have better player movement and ball movement on offense. A lot of times we’re passing and standing.”
UMaine is averaging 60.8 points per game.
She said the team’s defense also must improve.
“It hasn’t been good, honestly. We’ve had some good stretches but we’ve given up a lot of points,” said Vachon, whose Black Bears are giving up 66.6 points per game.
Opponents are shooting 42.8 percent from the floor.
Spanish freshman guard Olivia Alvarez has started all five games and is second on the team in steals with eight. She has handed out seven assists and is averaging 2.6 rebounds and 1.4 points per game.
She has struggled with her shooting, going just 3-for-20 from the floor.
Kirkwood Community College (Iowa) transfer Kaliyah Sain, a 6-foot forward, has been a valuable addition. Sain is averaging 9.2 points and 6 rebounds per game.
Two-time Maine Gatorade Player of the Year and Miss Maine Basketball recipient Maddie Fitzpatrick (1.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg), a redshirt freshman, missed all of last year recovering from knee surgery and is adjusting to the college game.
Fitzpatrick, averaging 11.8 minutes of playing time, could eventually become a valuable contributor as she gains more experience.
Veazie junior Emmie Streams, who is averaging 7.8 minutes, is a dependable backup at point guard.
Redshirst senior guard Amiyah Donaldson was a redshirt last year and could emerge as a decent supplemental scorer when her shots start falling and she gains confidence. She is just 1-for-18 from the floor.
Freshman guard-forward Mackenzie Mori and freshman guard Abby Price have seen limited playing time along with Corinth sophomore Izzy Allen. Mori is averaging 2.7 points per game.
South Thomaston freshman forward Bailey Breen and freshman guard Lala Woods have yet to play.
“We have to get better everywhere,” Vachon said. “There are a lot of different areas that could be strengths for us. It’s a matter of what we do consistently.”
The Black Bears are athletic and can rebound and should be a title contender in America East. They were picked second in the preseason poll.
Smith and Blauenfeldt may be the best one-two punch in the league but they need help.
