Belanger, Simpson Lead Rally, But Women's Hoops Falls Short At Maine

Monday, February 8

Bangor, Maine

7 PM

University of New Hampshire

8-15, 2-8

University of Maine

19-7, 10-1

New Hampshire

Maine

Sophomore Aliza Simpson helped UNH rally at Maine with 11 assists.

Photo by: Gil Talbot

Belanger, Simpson Lead Rally, But Women's Hoops Falls Short At Maine

2/8/2016 10:18:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Bangor, Maine – Senior guard Elizabeth Belanger (Acton, Mass.) scored 21 points and led a fierce late rally, but the University of New Hampshire women's basketball team came up just short in its upset bid and fell to the University of Maine, 59-55, on Monday night at the Cross Insurance Center.

The Wildcats fell to 8-15 overall and 2-8 in America East. Maine completed a sweep of the season series and improved to 19-7 overall and is 10-1 in the league.

NEXT UP

The Wildcats stay on the road for an Education Day game at America East-leading Albany on Thursday at noon. UNH returns home to take on Stony Brook on Sunday, Feb. 14 at 1 p.m. Tickets for that and all home games are available at 603-862-4000, ext. 5.

HIGHLIGHTS

Sophomore guard Aliza Simpson (Londonderry, N.H.) led all players with a career-high 11 assists, nine in the second half.
The previous high in assists for a Wildcat this season was nine by junior Kristen Anderson (Greene, Maine).
Belanger made eight of her 12 field goals and had five rebounds.
Sophomore center Carlie Pogue (Cincinnati, Ohio) came off the bench to contribute 12 points and led UNH with six rebounds.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Down 35-20 at the half, UNH battled back. The Wildcats were still down 44-35 entering the fourth quarter. They cut the lead to three with six minutes to play, but Maine pushed it back to 55-45 with 3:40 left.

Belanger banked one three-pointer, made an eight-footer and then another trey and it was 55-53 with 34 seconds to play. Maine's Mikaela Gustafsson and Bella Swan made all four foul shots between them to hold off the Wildcats in the last 22 seconds.

Sophomore center Morgan Bassett-Smith (Pickerington, Ohio) sparked UNH's third-period surge. The Wildcats outscored Maine 15-9 in the period to start their comeback and Bassett-Smith had eight of the points. Her career-high coming into the game was four points.

-POSTGAME NOTES-

UNH STARTERS (SEASON/CAREER STARTS)
So. G Peyton Booth (11/11)
Sr. F Stephanie Spoto (1/6)
Fr. F Ashley Storey (11/11)
Sr. G Elizabeth Belanger (23/99)
So. G Aliza Simpson (20/42)

GROUP'S RECORD: 0-1

SERIES INFO

Maine leads the all-time series 48-30 and has a 25-11 edge on its home court.

ATTENDANCE: NA

TEAM NOTES

UNH had a 20-3 advantage in points from players off the bench.
The Wildcats owned a 30-29 edge in rebounds.
The Black Bears made 12 of their 15 foul shots.
UNH attempted only six foul shots and made four.
The Wildcats made 24 field goals to Maine's 20.
Each team took 15 three-pointers: Maine made seven, UNH made three.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

UNH

Aliza Simpson: 11 assists / 2 points
Ashley Storey: 8 points / 3 rebounds / 3 assists
Elizabeth Belanger: 21 points / 8-for-12 field goals / 5 rebounds
Carlie Pogue: 12 points / 6 rebounds
Morgan Bassett-Smith: 8 points / 4-for-4 field goals / 7 minutes

Maine

Sigi Koizar: 20 points / 6 rebounds / 3 assists
Bella Swan: 20 points / 7 rebounds
Mikaela Gustafsson: 10 points / 4 rebounds / 4 assists

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