Junior Class Provides Leadership for Retrievers

After a slow start to the season, which saw the UMBC Retrievers open 1-5, head coach Phil Stern and his team seem to have found their rhythm on both ends of the court. The Retrievers have won four of their last six games, with the only two losses coming to Maryland and Virginia. Perhaps the most important factor behind the recent run of strong play is the consistent performances from the trio of Michelle Kurowski, Erin Brown and Topé Obajolu.

“Our junior class is playing great basketball right now,” emphasized Stern. “We knew when we recruited them that they would make a major impact on our program. I think this is the first year that they’re all playing really well at one time.”

Since stepping foot on the UMBC campus, Kurowski has shown the ability to be an elite scorer for the Retrievers. Barring some sort of injury, the junior guard is on pace to score the 1,000^th point of her career later this season. Kurowski gives the Retrievers a reliable scorer on the perimeter, as evidenced by her team-high 13.9 points per game, and a player that can get her team baskets when the offense breaks down.

Joining Kurowski on the perimeter is Brown. While the junior guard is an excellent scorer, averaging 12.6 points per game, it’s her ability to mix things up in the paint that makes her so valuable to this team. Brown provides the Retrievers with an excellent defensive rebounder on the perimeter, as she is averaging a team-high 5.6 rebounds per game. Brown is also the leading three-point shooter for UMBC, having made a team-high 21 shots from behind the arc and also brings a rare consistency to the table, having scored in double-figures in all but two games this season.

Few players have improved more over the past two seasons then Obajolu. Due to an excellent work ethic and constantly-improving offensive game, Obajolu has emerged as one of the elite post options in the America East. Obajolu is averaging 10.5 points per game and is hitting over 47 percent of her shots. She also provides a strong defensive presence in the paint, as she has blocked a team-high 21 shots this season.

With the leadership and consistency that this trio of juniors brings to the table, it appears that UMBC will be a tough matchup during America East play. With players like senior guard/forward Meghan Colabella and sophomore guard Kristin Coles providing key contributions along with the steady play of Kurowski, Brown and Obajolu, this is a deep UMBC team that can win in a variety of ways. 

Wildcats Snap Losing Streak Against Quinnipiac

The UNH women's basketball team was able to snap its six-game losing streak with a 75-63 win over Quinnipiac University on Wednesday night at Lundholm Gymnasium. Junior Denise Beliveau led the way for the Wildcats with 19 points and 12 rebounds, by far her best effort of the young season. Junior guard Lauren Wells was also key in the win, scoring 18 points in the game, including a career-high 16 first half points.

UNH got off to a hot start and never looked back, breaking open the game with 14-2 lead in the first seven minutes of regulation. Meanwhile, Quinnipiac was ice-cold to start the game, missing its first 13 field goal attempts.

Behind Wells' first half efforts, the Wildcats entered half time with a 41-23 lead. UNH continued to dominate through out much of the second half, but a late run by Qunnipiac cut the Wildcat lead to just seven points with 3:20 left in the game.

Both teams went scoreless for over a minute of play, before Wells hit a jumper from the free throw line for her first points of the second half with just 1:23 left. The jumper started a 9-4 UNH run to end any chances of a comeback from Quinnipiac.

UNH improves their record to 2-7 headed into a brief holiday break for the Wildcats. They will look to pick up where they left off on Jan. 28 when they face St. Joseph's University, the host school of the 20th annual Hawk Classic in Philadelphia, Pa.

Depth and Defense Propel Maine to Four-Game Winning Streak

While there have been some quality wins by America East teams during the non-conference schedule, it would be tough to find a team has two more impressive victories than the Maine Black Bears. After a 2-5 start, which saw the Black Bears battle injuries and illness, they have won four straight games, including victories at Massachusetts and at Penn State. One of the key reasons for the resurgence has been excellent play on the defensive end. After allowing over 70 points per game during the first seven games of the season, the Black Bears have held opponents to 57.8 points per game over the course of the four-game win streak.

Although the recent 74-64 victory at Penn State will probably steal the headlines, it was the win at Massachusetts that helped Maine build its momentum. According to head coach Ted Woodward, it was against UMass that his team started to find a rhythm on both ends of the court.

“It was a big win,” emphasized Woodward. “ Obviously, UMass is a big name and a great program. We had a couple games before UMass where we didn’t feel that we played to our capabilities as a team. We really just needed to find our rhythm and the UMass game was a game where we were able to do that. This team has been playing pretty good since then and we are just trying to build on something from every game.”

One of the keys during the four-game win streak has been the depth that Woodward has his disposal. With 10 guys playing 10+ minutes each game, this is a group that has a lot of talented and interchangeable pieces.

AExtra Finals Week: Vermont Catamount Women

With so many new faces throughout the Vermont Catamount program, it shouldn't be a surprise that the 2010-11 season has been a struggle for this inexperienced team. There are very few programs in the country that can replace a head coach and two of the top players in school history without skipping a beat. While the first win of the season has proven to be elusive for the Catamounts, there have been some signs in recent games that this group could be close to breaking through and building some confidence.

One of the pleasant surprises so far this season has been the excellent play of sophomore forward/center Lauren Buschmann. Buschmann brings a high level of skill and finesse to the paint for the Catamounts, as she is averaging 7.6 points and a team-high 7.0 rebounds per game. As Buschmann continues to get more comfortable with her role as a leader and a prominent factor in the Catamounts offense, her scoring numbers should only continue to increase. Senior forward/center Tonya Young provides an excellent compliment to Buschmann, as Young is more comfortable looking to score. Young leads the Catamounts with a team-high 9.5 points per game.

AExtra Finals Week: Vermont Catamounts Men

After losing Marqus Blakely and a handful of other seniors who played a key role in winning the America East Conference Championship last season, many people assumed that the 2010-11 season might be a rebuilding effort for the Vermont Catamounts. However, an impressive win over Siena in the season-opener, which ended the Saints’ 38-game home winning streak, has helped propel Vermont to a 7-3 start with just two games remaining before the start of America East play.

The key to the early season success has been the play of senior forward/center Evan Fjeld. During his first three seasons, Fjeld filled a complimentary role while providing size in the paint. As a senior, Fjeld has emerged as a leader and a potential go-to player for the Catamounts, averaging a team-high 17.1 points per game. While he has cooled down a little bit over the past three games, Fjeld is a highly-skilled big man who should be able to put up big numbers during the conference portion of the schedule.

Maine and Boston University Secure Signature Victories

Both Maine and Boston University earned key victories in men's basketball action last night. Maine picked up its fourth consecutive win, knocking off Penn State, 74-64. With the victory over Penn State, Maine knocked off its second "Big Six" opponent in the last two years, as the Black Bears won at Boston College last season. One of the key factors in the recent winning streak has been the depth and athleticism that Maine has displayed. Against Penn State, senior guard Terrance Mitchell came off the bench to score 17 points and give Maine a huge boost with the starters on the bench. Sophomore forward Murphy Burnatwoski netted a team-high 20 points to help the Black Bears earn the signature victory.

After dropping its last four games, the Boston University men's basketball team picked up an impressive home victory over St. Joseph's at Agganis Arena. Junior guard Darryl Partin came off the bench to give the Terriers a huge boost, scoring a game-high 29 points in only 31 minutes of action. Senior guard/forward John Holland played a key role in the win, scoring 19 points and pulling down eight rebounds to give Boston University a versatile presence on the perimeter.

AExtra would like to congratulate both Maine and Boston University. Both wins showed the depth and talent that exists in the America East and this should setup an incredibly exciting conference season.

UMBC's late rally sinks Navy 65-56

The UMBC women's basketball team (5-7) shot 60.7 percent in the second half and ended the game on a 15-2 run, as the Retrievers earned 65-56 victory over Navy (5-6) Tuesday evening at Alumni Hall. Senior guard Michele Brokans hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:54 remaining in the game.

AExtra Finals Week: Stony Brook Seawolves Women

Destiny Jacobs has stepped up for the Seawolves.

The Stony Brook women have not had the easiest of times in the first two months of the season. The Seawolves have stumbled lately, losing their last four after a 3-3 start. It does not help their cause that they are currently in the midst of a five-game road swing to close out the non-conference portion of their schedule. They then get one home game to open America East play and then take to the road again for three more.

The path certainly has been bumpy. However, the Seawolves have still managed more non-conference wins this season than in either of the last two years. In 2009-10, Stony Brook started the season 2-10 before earning the No. 4 seed in the America East tournament and making a run to the semifinals. With the conference slate still ahead of them, such a run is still possible for the Seawolves.

AExtra Finals Week: Stony Brook Seawolves Men

Heading into the 2010-11 season, the Stony Brook men had high expectations. Coming off of a regular season America East championship last season, the Seawolves were voted by the America East coaches as the No. 2 team in the league. Some national outlets had Stony Brook as the favorite to win the league. However, as we approach conference play, the Seawolves have been struggling.

Bryan Dougher leads the Stony Brook offense with 14.9 ppg

Stony Brook sits at 4-6, including a 1-3 record at home. Last season, the Seawolves lost two home games all season, and one of those was to Illinois in the NIT. This season though, a flood of injuries has handcuffed the Seawolves. Junior forward Tommy Brenton was ruled out for the entire season after suffering a knee injury in September. Senior guard Chris Martin, junior forward Dallis Joyner and sophomore guard Marcus Rouse have also missed time this season due to injury. Last season, those four combined for 30.9 points, 20.3 rebounds and 94.5 minutes per game. When those guys are out, a team that appeared to be returning much of its talent suddenly has holes to fill.

Kevin Crowley named Preseason Player of the Year

Although many America East fans are fully engrossed in the current basketball season, the first couple lacrosse articles and prediction magazines have started to trickle out. In news that will get the Stony Brook fanbase excited, Lacrosse Magazine selected Stony Brook senior midfielder Kevin Crowley as its Preseason Player of the Year. This is obviously a huge honor for Crowley, who scored 51 goals and dished out 26 assists last season, as this kind of recognition shows the great growth and potential of the Stony Brook program and the high level of America East lacrosse.

Vermont Stays at No. 16 in Mid-Major Top 25

In the Dec. 20 edition of the collegeinsider.com Mid-Major Top 25, the Vermont Catamounts held steady at No. 16. After starting the season outside the Mid-Major Top 25, the Catamounts have been a regular presence in the rankings due to their excellent start to the 2010-11 campaign. With its only losses this season coming to No.4 Connecticut, No. 23 BYU and at Fairfield, Vermont has a strong resume with no glaring defeats.

AExtra Finals Week: New Hampshire Wildcats Women

As it so often happens when a new coach takes over a team, finding consistency on the offensive end of the court has been an issue for the New Hampshire women’s basketball team throughout the 2010-11 season. The combination of a grueling non-conference schedule and the necessary adjustments from both the players and coaches to the new system has led to a 1-7 start for the Wildcats.

One of the more inspiring stories in the America East has been the return of redshirt-freshman guard Kelsey Hogan after missing nearly two full seasons due to injuries. Although she is still rounding into form over the course of the first eight games of the season, Hogan is averaging 8.1 points per game and a team-high 4.2 assists. Even more important than the statistical contributions is the leadership and control she gives this team from the point guard position.

Hitting the Links: 12/20/2010

Good afternoon AExtra fans.

This past weekend, a number of America East teams returned to the court after finishing their exams to get in a few more matchups against non-conference foes. The comeback, if you will, made for a busy weekend in the conference, both on the court and in the press.

The Albany Great Danes, both the women and the men, made headlines with big wins on Saturday. The women halted a two-game skid with a rout over Niagara, beating the Purple Eagles on the road, 63-47. The Danes rolled out to a 27-point lead in the second half, a lead that was much appreciated after back-to-back games against Syracuse and Duke.

AExtra Finals Week: New Hampshire Wildcats Men

Senior guard Tyrone Conley is averaging 12.7 ppg.

Few teams in the America East Conference have experienced the highs and lows that the UNH men’s basketball team has over the first month of the season. After opening the season 3-0, the Wildcats had to deal with the loss of senior guard Alvin Abreu to a season-ending knee injury. Abreu not only gave UNH an elite scoring option on the perimeter, but he was also a proven leader for a relatively young team. Despite the impact of the injury to Abreu, the Wildcats came together to earn head coach Bill Herrion the 300^th win of his career after a 65-60 win against Colgate. With the emotional rollercoaster the 2010-11 season has been so far, this team has to be happy with the 5-4 start.

Behind the Scenes with UMBC Women's Basketball at UVa Part 4

Behind the Scenes with UMBC Women's Basketball at UVa Part 3

Highlights from Albany victory over Mount Saint Mary's

Here are some great highlights from the 77-57 victory against Mount Saint Mary's.

Behind the Scenes with UMBC Women's Basketball at UVa Part 2