Adrianna Smith posted a double-double in her first game since missing all of last season because of a knee injury, but the University of Maine opened its women’s basketball season Friday with a 63-62 loss to Saint Joseph’s University in Orono.
Smith, the 2022-23 American East Player of the Year, finished with 25 points, 12 rebounds and three assists.
Maine trailed 58-46 with 4:05 left before closing within three with 24 seconds remaining on a layup by Smith, who started the late surge with a 3-pointer. Two foul shots by Rhian Stokes pushed the Hawks’ lead back to five, but Smith answered with a layup. Stokes then made one of two foul shots with 16 seconds left before Asta Blauenfeldt hit a 3-pointer as time ran out for the Black Bears.
Blauenfeldt finished with 16 points and Sarah Talon of Windham had 10 points. Cheverus High graduate Maddie Fitzpatrick, the 2024 Miss Maine Basketball winner who missed her freshman season because of an injury, was scoreless in 16 minutes.
Gabby Casey scored 19 points and grabbed nine rebounds for Saint Joseph’s (1-1). Faith Stinon added 16 points, and both Stokes and Jill Jekot had 11.
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