The University of Maine women’s basketball team has a shot at an automatic NCAA tournament bid Friday when it takes on the University of Vermont in the America East Conference championship game.
The 5 p.m. matchup between the Black Bears and Catamounts features the top two teams in the America East Conference this season. Vermont is the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament, and UMaine is No. 2.
The game will be available on ESPNU, which can be accessed through a cable subscription or through ESPN’s Unlimited plan. Other paid subscription services like Fubo TV or Sling carry ESPNU, and some offer free trials or single-day passes.
In the 12 previous times that the UMaine women have faced a top seed in the conference tournament, they have won only once. UMaine head coach Amy Vachon was a player on the 1997-98 Black Bears squad, which was the lone UMaine women’s team to upend a No. 1 seed in the conference.
“Vermont has been the best team all season. I think everyone has said and I think they have been,” Vachon said. “We’re just really excited to be in the championship game and excited for a great game.”
Vermont comes into the game with a 26-7 record, while UMaine is 19-12. Vermont has won its last four games and seven of its last eight, while UMaine had a five-game winning streak and victories in nine of its last 10 contests.
