The University of Maine women’s basketball team started the 2016-17 season off with a win, besting Purdue by a score of 67-47 in the Cross Insurance Center.

The Black Bears started off the contest with a 25-6 first quarter lead and never looked back as UMaine beat former coach Sharon Versyp in her return to the state.

Maine was led in points by Blanca Millan and Sigi Koizar who each chipped in 17 points for the Black Bears.  On the evening Maine shot 48 percent from the floor and 50 percent from three-point range with seven baskets.  Purdue was led in scoring by Dominique Oden who had 11 points and was 4-11 from the field.

UMaine moved its home winning streak up to 19 straight victories at the Cross insurance Center on Friday night, with the last home loss coming to Albany on January 3rd of 2015.  The Black Bears will face the winner of Mississippi State and Villanova in the second game on Saturday night.

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