BANGOR —– Maybe the University of Maine women’s basketball team turned the ball over too much in the first half, losing it 13 times.

But look at the rebounding edge for the game – 45-24

Let’s talk passing – 22 assists on 28 baskets.

And the defense and shooting came through as the Black Bears handed the University of Hartford its first America East loss, 73-62 Monday afternoon at the Cross Insurance Center.

Maine shot 51 percent, led by freshman guard Blanca Millan’s career-high 23 points. And Millan’s defense was also key as Maine held the Hawks to 35 percent shooting.

“Give credit to Maine. They’re a very tough team,” said first-year Hartford coach Kim McNeill, whose Hawks dropped to 12-5, 3-1 in America East.

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Maine improved to 10-10, 3-2.

“They get after you on defense,” McNeill said. “They get in your face. They were tougher than us. The rebounding goes along with the toughness piece, especially when there is one of them, and three of us, and they come up with the ball.”

Maine had six players with at least four rebounds, led by 5-foot-10 guard Tanesha Sutton’s nine.

“We emphasize rebounding,” Sutton said. “Everyone is like, ‘I want it. I want it.’ That’s what I’m thinking.”

Sutton scored 12 points, and forward Laia Sole added 10, six of those coming on press-breakers as the Black Bears dribbled through the Hawks’ pressure defense and found Sole open underneath.

“We tried to focus on keeping it in the middle and push it up the court,” said Sutton, who paced Maine with six assists.

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Maine led 29-25 at halftime.

The Black Bears were dominating in most phases – except for those 13 turnovers.

“A lot of those were self-inflicted,” said associate head coach Amy Vachon, who continues to direct the team with head coach Richard Barron on medical leave since Jan. 6 with an undisclosed illness.

Maine made only three turnovers in the second half before the subs entered in the final minutes.

“We made some adjustments,” Vachon said.

Once the Black Bears got the ball up the court, they worked on passing around the Hawks’ zone defense.

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“They did a good job getting it to the high post and opening up shots,” McNeill said.

Millan hit 9-of-12 shots, including two 3-pointers.

“When all the team is having fun, you start having fun, too,” said Millan, one of three freshmen from Spain.

“The second half was so good. You shoot and it was like, ‘OK, this is going in.’ ”

In the closing seconds of the third quarter, Hartford had the ball, down 54-47. Millan stole the ball and raced down court for a layup with 5 seconds left, and a 56-47 lead. The Hawks never got closer.

For most of the game, Millan covered senior all-conference guard Deanna Mayza, who scored 12, four points under her average, on 4-of-13 shooting.

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“Blanca not only had 23 points … she is really defensively playing outstanding right now,” Vachon said.

Maine was coming off a disappointing 55-41 loss at Stony Brook last Saturday.

Now the Black Bears go back on the road to play Thursday at New Hampshire (14-3, 4-0), the only team still unbeaten in conference play.

Maine is 1-8 in opposing teams’ venues.

“We need to play better on the road and I think we will,” Vachon said.


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