Conference Wrap: 2/21/13

Apparently we're getting ready for another snowstorm here in Boston, but the America East hoops season is rolling right along. Can you believe that the end of the regular season is about a week and a half away? Soak up every minute you can and catch up on last night's action with today's conference wrap-up.

Box Scores, Recaps and Highlights

Men's Basketball

at Boston U. 79, Albany 69: Box/Recap/Highlights

• Top Performer
• D.J. Irving (BU): 18 points (5-10 FG; 4-7 3FG; 4-5 FT), 3 assists, 1 steal
• Big Stat
• The three-point line was the difference in this game. The Terriers shot 40 percent for the game, including four of seven performances from their two top scorers, while the Great Danes couldn't get it going from beyond the arc. Leading three-point shooter for Albany Jacob Iati was held to just three attempts and no makes.
• Supporting Cast
• John Papale also had 18 points for the Terriers, while Dom Morris chipped in 16 points and nine boards. For Albany, Mike Black led all scorers with his 21 and Sam Rowley had another big game (18 pts, 8 reb).
• Local Media
• Albany Times Union

at Hartford 49, New Hampshire 44: Box/Recap/Highlights

• Top Performer
• Chandler Rhoads (UNH): 16 points (6-17 FG; 2-8 3FG; 2-4 FT), 3 rebounds, 2 assists
• Big Stat
• In a game that saw Hartford struggle from the field (28.8%), John Gallagher's squad did one thing very well. The Hawks got to the line 14 times in the second half, converting on 12 of those chances. Overall, they shot 88.2 percent from the stripe and had nine more attempts than New Hampshire did.
• Supporting Cast
• Patrick Konan (11 pts) joined Rhoads in double-figures for the Wildcats. Hartford's Mark Nwakamma had 12 points while Nake Sikma tacked on 11.
• Local Media
• Hartford Courant
• Seacoast Online

Brian Voelkel

at Vermont 73, Maine 61: Box/Recap/Highlights

• Top Performer
• Sandro Carissimo (UVM): 16 points (5-10 FG; 2-3 3FG; 4-4 FT), 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal
• Big Stat
• A few things went Vermont's way in this one. First was the edge in rebounds. The Catamounts grabbed 40 boards to Maine's 27 and it showed up in the second-chance points column, as they held a 16-4 advantage. Vermont also took care of the ball very well, with 14 assists (on 23 field goals) to just eight turnovers.
• Supporting Cast
• The Cats had four players in double-figures, but Brendan Kilpatrick's 12 points off the bench were a huge boost down the stretch. Brian Voelkel (10 asst., 16 reb) was also in complete control of the game despite just four points. For Maine, Zarko Valjarevic had 14 points to lead the way.
• Local Media
• Burlington Free Press
• Bangor Daily News

Women's Basketball

at Maine 74, Vermont 68: Box/Recap

• Top Performer
• Lauren Bodine (Maine): 24 points (8-11 FG; 7-9 3FG; 1-2 FT), 8 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists
• Big Stat
• In a close game, Maine's big night from beyond the arc made the difference. With Lauren Bodine tying a school-record with seven treys, the Black Bears hit 11 total and shot 37.9 percent. Vermont shot 26.1 percent on the night, make six triples in 23 attempts.
• Supporting Cast
• Liz Wood continued her impressive rookie year, racking up 17 points and eight boards, while teammate Courtney Anderson notched a big double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds. The Catamounts wer led by Lauren Buschmann's double-double (16 pts, 11 reb) and Niki Taylor also chipped in 15 points.
• Local Media
• Bangor Daily News
• Burlington Free Press

UMBC 52, at Stony Brook 51: Box/Recap

• Top Performer
• Raven Harris (UMBC): 23 points (9-14 FG; 5-7 3FG; 0-1 FT), 7 assists, 5 steals, 1 rebound
• Big Stat
• UMBC turned to two players down the stretch and those two players played extremely well to seal the win. Harris, who also led the team in steals for the 20th time this year, and Kim Browning combined to score 19 of the Retrievers' 24 second-half points. 
• Supporting Cast
• The previously mentioned Browning had a career-high 10 points in the win for UMBC. For Stony Brook, Jessica Previlon notched a career-high 18 points, while Sabre Proctor chipped in 11.

at New Hampshire 51, Hartford 49: Box/Recap/Highlights

• Top Performer
• Kelsey Hogan (UNH): 15 points (4-7 FG; 2-2 3FG; 5-8 FT), 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal
• Big Stat
• The difference in this game, quite literally, was two three pointers from Hogan. Both teams made exactly 17 field goals and 15 free throws, but two of New Hampshire's 17 field goals were triples while Hartford was 0-9 from downtown. Definitely a big game for Hogan.
• Supporting Cast
• Morgan Frame and Kaylee Kilpatrick has 12 and 10 points respectively to help lead New Hampshire to a win. For Hartford, Alex Hall was the lone scorer in double-figrures as she had 15.
• Local Media
• Seacoast Online

Linked Up

The final #Chance2Dance video came out today, with Vermont's mascot doing a little Cat Daddy action.

The women from Albany and Boston U. will tangle tonight in a big AE Hoops matchup. Watch the promo here.

Two administrators from New Hampshire were named to NCAA Division I Committees. 

A pair of Maine baseball players will play for the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic.

Check out some footage from the Binghamton men's lacrosse media day.

Spring Sports Update: 2/19/13

Yesterday we touched on all of the America East basketball action from the weekend, but believe it or not, spring sports have begun as well. This weekend baseball, men's and women's lacrosse and softball all had games. Let's take a look at some of the highlights from that action as we continue to anticipate that warm weather eventually replacing all of this snow.

Colin Gay

Baseball

Unlike all of us, America East baseball teams get to head south around this time of year, making the rounds to play non-conference games at schools throughout the region. Albany played two game in Cary, N.C. against Canisius, Maine paid a visit to Auburn and Stony Brook soaked up the Miami sunshine in what turned into a three-game set versus Florida International. Some highlights from the weekend:

• Albany shortstop Gordon Madej collected four hits in the two games. The sophomore went 2 for 4 and followed that up with 2 for 5 effort in game two.
• Maine played Auburn, a team which Baseball America projects to be in the field of 64 this spring, closely twice in four games. In game one, America East Player of the Week Colin Gay doubled in the tying run in the seventh before the Tigers belted a walk-off blast in the ninth. In the third game, the Black Bears notched two sixth inning tallies to pull within one, but that was all they got.
• Stony Brook got back to back gems from its starting pitchers in the final two games of the series, but the offense couldn't get it going. Daniel Zamora yielding just one run in six innings while scattering five hits. A 27th round draft choice last year by the Toronto Blue Jays, the freshman struck out six and only walked one, displaying his patented control.

Men's Lacrosse

Five men's lacrosse teams began their season this weekend, leaving Binghamton as the only school yet to play. While Saturday was a tough day for the America East, Albany put a big exclamation point on the weekend with win on Sunday. Some highlights:

• The aforementioned Great Danes knocked off perennial powerhouse and former No. 13 Syracuse with a 16-15 victory in double overtime. The win was good enough to push Albany, which received votes in the preseason poll, up to No. 16 in the men's top 20.
• Brody Eastwood scored three goals in his collegiate debut for Stony Brook. The freshman from Victoria, British Columbia went on to earn conference Rookie of the Week honors.
• Scott Jones had four goals in UMBC's season-opener. Jones was the Retrievers leading scorer a year ago with 36 goals in 13 games.
• Vermont's Graham Horvath began the season scoring three goals against Colgate. A transfer student-athlete from Hofstra, Horvath holds school records at Seton Hall prep for both goals and points.
• Hartford had a huge test in game one of the season, falling to No. 2 Maryland. Goalie Frank Piechota, a redshirt junior, had 13 saves overall including some impressive point blank stops.

Claire Petersen

Women's Lacrosse

With four teams in action, there were plenty of goals to go around in week one of women's lacrosse. Stony Brook started off on the right foot, as did UMBC. Let's check out some of the highlights:

• Stony Brook tied a team-record for most goals in a season-opener with a 20-5 win over Bucknell. Claire Petersen went bonkers for 10 points, including a game-high six assists.
• Laura McHoul dished out five assists in her collegiate debut for New Hampshire. The conference Rookie of the Week helped the Wildcats come within one goal of Hofstra.
• Lindsay Cox and Alyssa Semones both had four tallies as UMBC knocked off local rival American. The Retrievers busted out for nine goals in the second half to win 15-12.
• Jessica Roach led the Catamounts with three goals in the season-opener.

Softball

Like the baseball teams, America East softball squads do the smart thing and head south to get a taste of the warm weather a little early. Four teams got to lace up the spikes for the first time this weekend so let's revisit some highlights:

• Maine's Kristen Koslosky notched eight hits in her first 15 at-bats of the season en route to America East Player of the Week honors. The sophomore also reeled off three stolen bases.
• Sydney Harbaugh was the conference's top rookie in the first weekend, batting .444 with no strikeouts in her first 12 college plate appearances.
• Christine Lucido was extremely solid through six innings as Stony Brook won its first game of the season. The junior allowed just one run on four hits.
• UMBC was led by Chelsea Bertoglio, who began the season with six hits in 12 at-bats. Three of those hits went for extra bases, including two double and a home run.

Linked Up

The men from Albany and Stony Brook will tangle in the ESPN3 "Wild Card" men's basketball game.

Albany's Lyle Thompson earned Nike Player of the Week honors from InsideLacrosse.com.

Check out the newest #Chance2Dance video from Baxter the Bearcat!

In case you missed it yesterday, here are the highlights from the final day of the swimming & diving championships.

We've shown you spots from the school presidents, but now check out the full video in which they talk all things America East.

AEC Rewind: 2/18/13

A big week in the America East came to an end and four new champions were crowned. In track and field, the Albany Great Danes swept both title to continue their dominance. Meanwhile, yesterday the UMBC men were crowned swimming and diving champions along with the New Hampshire women for the first time since 2006. In case you were busy keeping up with all the championship action this weekend, we've got a full recap of all conference basketball action, with more on spring sports coming tomorrow. It's your AEC Rewind!

Box Scores, Recaps and Highlights

Men's Basketball

at Albany 75, Hartford 49: Box/Recap/Highlights

• Top Performer
• Jacob Iati (Alb): 18 points (6-9 FG; 4-5 3FG; 2-2 FT), 4 steals, 2 rebounds, 1 assist
• Big Stat
• Albany is really dangerous when it shoots the three well and that's exactly what happened on Saturday. Highlighted by Iati's 4-5 showing from distance, the Great Danes poured in 10 triples in 16 attempts against Hartford. No Albany player that attempted a three-point field goal shot less than 50 percent from beyond the arc.
• Supporting Cast
• Mike Black chipped in 14 points for Albany while Mark Nwakamma was the leading scorer for Hartford with 12 points. Nate Sikma also reached double-figures for the Hawks, nailing two threes and finishing with 10 points.
• Local Media
• Albany Times Union

at Boston U. 68, New Hampshire 56: Box/Recap/Highlights

• Top Performer
• Maurice Watson Jr. (BU): 13 points (4-9 FG; 1-1 3FG; 4-4 FT), 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals
• Big Stat
• The Terriers were red hot in the first half, hitting their first eight shots of the game. Shortly thereafter, Boston U. ripped off a 15-2 run that produced all the cushion it would need for the rest of the game. The balanced scoring attack produced four starters in double-figures.
• Supporting Cast
• Dom Morris also had 13 points for the Terriers to go with a eight boards. Teammates Malik Thomas and D.J. Irving each chipped in 10 points. For New Hampshire, Chris Pelcher shot five of six from the field to rack up 15 points.
• Local Media
• Boston.com
• Seacoast Online

Maine 64, at Binghamton 60: Box/Recap

• Top Performer
• Jordan Reed (Bing): 29 points (9-32 FG; 0-1 FT; 11-15 FT), 17 rebounds, 1 assist
• Big Stat
• Neither team shot the ball exceptionally well in this game, but Maine was able to get to the free throw line 38 times compared to Binghamton's 23. The Black Bears converted on 22 of those attempts, seven more than the Bearcats, which was a huge factor in the four point win.
• Supporting Cast
• Zarko Valjarevic had huge game of his own, netting 25 points while making 10 of his 12 free throws. He was joined in double figures by teammates Justin Edwards (12) and Alasdair Fraser (10). For the Bearcats, Jimmy Gray had 13 points to go with Reed's big game.
• Local Media
• Bangor Daily News 
• Press and Sun

Jameel Warney

at Stony Brook 65, Vermont 48: Box/Recap/Highlights

• Top Performer
• Jameel Warney (SBU): 12 points (5-5 FG; 2-4 FT), 10 rebounds, 1 assist
• Big Stat
• Stony Brook ramped up the defensive pressure in the second half, holding Vermont to just seven field goals on 24.1 percent shooting. All the while, the Seawolves shot 48 percent for the game and scored 24 points off of 13 Catamount turnovers.
• Supporting Cast
• Marcus Rouse came off the bench to contribute 16 big points for Stony Brook while Tommy Brenton also had 13. For Vermont, Sandro Carissimo led the way with 14 point on six of 11 shooting. Luke Apfeld (12) and Trey Blue (10) also had double-figures.
• Local Media
• Newsday
• Burlington Free Press

Women's Basketball

Albany 69, at Hartford 55: Box/Recap

• Top Performer
• Julie Forster (Alb): 14 points (6-11 FG; 2-3 3FG), 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal
• Big Stat
• Albany made its shots at a high percentage throughout the game as the offense continues to be extremely difficult for opposing teams to shut down. The team shot 53.7 percent for the game and seven of the eight Great Danes who made shots were 50 percent or above from the field.
• Supporting Cast
• Sarah Royals used four triples to end with 16 points on the day, while Sheeresha Richards and Margarita Rosario both had 10. For Hartford, Amber Bepko continued her strong year by netting 16 points, while Ruthanne Doherty chipped in 11.
• Local Media
• Hartford Courant

at Boston U. 59, New Hampshire 45: Box/Recap/Highlights

• Top Performer
• Rashidat Agboola (BU): 12 points (5-10 FG; 2-4 FT), 9 rebounds, 3 steals, 3 blocks, 2 assists
• Big Stat
• The Terrier bench outplayed its opposition, led by 15 big points from Danielle Callahan. Overall, the reserves from Boston U. had 21 points to New Hampshire's six. That gap of 15 points is closely aligned to the 14 point margin of victory.
• Supporting Cast
• Mo Moran nearly racked up a double-double with nine point and eight helpers, while the Wildcats were led by 12 points from Elizabeth Belanger.

Maine 74, at Binghamton 68: Box/Recap

• Top Performer
• Liz Wood (Maine): 22 points (7-13 FG; 2-5 3FG; 6-10 FT), 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal
• Big Stat
• The free throw line became a huge factor in this game, with Maine taking full advantage. The Black Bears, led by Liz Wood's 10 attempts, got to the line 31 times for 19 points compared Binghamton's six free throws on 16 attempts.
• Supporting Cast
• Mikaela Gustafsson had 12 points for Maine while Lauren Bodine and Sophie Weckstrom chipped in 11. For the Bearcats, Jasbriell Swain led the way with 15 points.
• Local Media
• Bangor Daily News
• Press and Sun

at Vermont 46, Stony Brook 43: Box/Recap/Highlights

• Top Performer
• Jessica Previlon (SBU): 12 points (3-7 FG; 6-10 FT), 11 rebounds, 1 assist
• Big Stat
• Vermont's bench came through in a big way during this close game, scoring 21 points to Stony Brook's five. Sam Simononis led the charge for the Catamount reserves, netting 11 points on the strength of three triples.
• Supporting Cast
• Lauren Buschmann joined Simononis is double-figures, racking up 10 points, five rebounds and three blocks for Vermont. For Stony Brook, Brittany Snow added 10 points and Chikilra Goodman nearly had a double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds.
• Local Media
• Burlington Free Press

Linked Up

Jon Rothstein from CBS New York writes about Jameel Warney's recent hot streak.

Check out a President's Day video from Hartford president, Walt Harrison.

Speaking of videos, two more Harlem shake videos came down recently. The first is from Stony Brook while the second is from UMBC.

Hartford recently celebrated National Girls & Women in Sports Day.