Maine Press Proves Too Much for Women Cagers

The Harvard women's basketball team had that caged-in feeling Saturday afternoon.

Like "chargers" of old, who played with a cage surrounding the court to keep the ball in and the fans out, the Crimson battled in close quarters against the University of Maine, at Orono, Me.

Playing against a tough, pressing Black Bean squad in a gym where court and stands were separated by less than a foot, Harvard to blown out, 86-56.

The game marked the Cantabs' second straight loss by more than 25 points and dropped their season record to 4-3.

"We beat ourselves as much as they beat us," said Harvard Coach Kathy Delaney Smith.

The third-year coach added that the team felt, after watching game films yesterday, that it could beat Maine if the teams were to play against next week.

The hosts won the contest with a relentless full-court press that forced a season-high 43 turnovers by the Crimson.

The effectiveness of the press was aided by the almost total lack of out-of-bounds area around the court. This, as much as the Maine defenders, constrained the Cantabs' movement and led to the immense turnover figure.

Even when the visitors could club the press, they had problems putting the ball in the hoop. Harvard shot a miserable 33 percent from the field, missing about a dozen four-footers and turning in an offensive performance Delaney Smith termed "terrible."

Meanwhile Maine, which was shooting about 20 percent from the field on the year before Saturday's contest, hit for a respectable 43 percent on its road to victory.

The hosts were led by freshman extrordinaire Liz Coffin, who scored 22 points, grabbed 15 rebounds, and dished out five assists in addition to blocking two shots and making five steals.

"She's the most talented freshman I've seen in a long time," said Delancy Smith.

The opening minutes set the tone for the whole game. The devastating full-court press forced numerous Harvard mistakes and carried the Black Beans to a 12-point halftime lead.

The second stanza was a carbon copy of the first, with Harvard unable to solve the Maine press. The hosts' margin hovered around 20 for much of the final period, until a frantic flurry of fouls by the Crimson in the last five minutes propelled Maine to its final lead.

For the third consecutive game, every, Harvard team member scored, with Co-Captain Anna Collins (II) and freshman Sharon Hayes (2) leading the way.

The long trip north did have some benefits. When Dartmouth hits sown tomorrow might for. Harvard's Ivy League opener, the Big Green will sport a defense similar to that employed by Maine.