Belanger Scores 23, Women's Hoops Falls to Maine in AE Quarterfinals

Binghamton, N.Y.  – Senior guard Elizabeth Belanger (Acton, Mass.) closed out her career with a team-high 23 points, but the UNH women's basketball dropped its America East quarterfinal game with Maine, 58-47, on Saturday at the Events Center at Binghamton University.

The Wildcats closed the season with a 12-18 overall record. Maine improved to 25-7 with its 13^th straight win and advances to the semifinals on Sunday.

Belanger moved up another spot on both UNH's career scoring and rebounding lists. She finishes No. 5 in scoring with 1,453 points and No. 7 in rebounding with 703. She is one of three Wildcats in program history to score more than 1,400 points and grab more than 700 rebounds.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Belanger scored more than 20 points for the third straight game and 12^th time this season.
• Her 23 points gave her 513 points for the season, the eighth best single-season total in school history.
• Sophomore Carlie Pogue (Cincinnati, Ohio) joined Belanger in double figures with 11 points.
• Pogue led the Wildcats in rebounds with six.
• Freshman forward Ashley Storey (Cumberland, Maine) had six points and four rebounds.

HOW IT HAPPENED

UNH stayed with the Black Bears, who went 15-1 in America East during the regular season, throughout the game.

The Wildcats trailed 33-27 at the half. Baskets by Belanger and Storey cut Maine's lead to 39-36 after three periods.

A layup and foul shot by sophomore guard Peyton Booth (Wadsworth, Ohio) again made it a three-point game at 46-43 with 4:43 to play. Sigi Koizar, who led Maine with 23 points, answered with her own basket and foul shot.

UNH pulled to within 51-47 when Belanger banked in a shot in the lane with 1:11 to go. Liz Wood responded with a bucket inside and Maine closed it out with foul shots.


-POSTGAME NOTES-


UNH STARTERS (SEASON/CAREER STARTS)

So. G Peyton Booth (18/18)
So. C Carlie Pogue (29/37)
Fr. F Ashley Storey (17/17)
Sr. G Elizabeth Belanger (30/106)
So. G Aliza Simpson (27/49)

GROUP'S RECORD: 5-7

SERIES INFO

Maine leads the series 51-30.

TEAM NOTES
 

• The Wildcats made 45.5 percent (20-for-44) of their field goals.
• Maine owned a 22-12 advantage in points in the paint.
• Maine had a 37-22 edge in rebounds.
• The Wildcats were 2-for-13 in three-point shots.
• Maine was 3-for-15 from behind the arc.
• Maine had an 11-2 edge in points from bench players.
• The Wildcats were 5-for-8 from the foul line.
• The Black Bears made 17 of their 24 free throws.
• UNH was called for 20 fouls, Maine for 11.  

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

UNH

Elizabeth Belanger: 23 points / 10-for-19 field goals / 5 rebounds
Ashley Storey: 6 points / 4 rebounds
Carlie Pogue: 11 points / 6 rebounds
Peyton Booth: 5 points / 2 rebounds

Maine

Sigi Koizar: 23 points / 3 rebounds / 4 assists
Liz Wood: 13 points / 10 rebounds
Mikaela Gustafsson: 9 points / 6 rebounds
Chantel Charles: 7 points / 3 rebounds