ORONO, Maine — It was a bittersweet afternoon in Columbus, Ohio as the No. 15 University of Maine's women's basketball team lost to No. 2 Ohio State in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
While Maine did take a slight lead early in the first quarter, the Buckeyes pulled away for an 80-57 win.
America East Conference Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year Anne Simon, capped off her career in Orono with 25 points Friday. And Olivia Rockwood scored 15 points for the Black Bears.
Before the game, head coach Amy Vachon spoke highly of Ohio State's aggressive defense. The Buckeyes forced the Black Bears to commit 22 turnovers, according to game statistics.
Meanwhile, the school's men's hockey team is set to play Boston University in a Hockey East semi-final game Friday night at 7:30 at the T.D. Garden in Boston.
This is the first time since the 2011-12 season that the Black Bears have advanced to this stage of the conference tournament. It's also been 12 years since Maine qualified for the NCAA Tournament.
Regardless of Friday's outcome, Maine has a strong possibility of advancing to the NCAA Tournament this season, as the Black Bears are ranked as the No. 7 in the nation, according to the latest USCHO poll. In men's hockey, 16 teams qualify for the national tournament. Some get in by winning their conference tournament, others receive 'at-large' bids.
The winner of Maine and Boston University will place No. 1 seed, and the top-ranked team in the country, Boston College at 7:30 Saturday.
The field for the men's ice hockey NCAA Tournament will be released Sunday evening.
