35896# 20260305_01hoops ORONO, MAINE MARCH 5, 2026 Maine’s, Sarah Talon, second from left, knocks the ball away from New Hampshire’s Elizabeth Lavoie, left, and Eva DeChent during the America East Tournament at UMaine Orono in Orono, Maine Thursday March 5, 2026. At the right is Maine’s Olivia Alvarez. (Rich Abrahamson/Staff Photographer)
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ORONO — Can you call a player who started every game, who averaged nearly 32 minutes per game, a most improved player? When it comes to Sarah Talon and the University of Maine women’s basketball team, you absolutely can.
The 5-foot-10 senior guard from Windham is playing the best basketball of her career, right when the Black Bears need it the most. When her college career ends with the next loss.
In a 77-58 win over New Hampshire in an America East quarterfinal game on Thursday night, Talon was outstanding. She scored 16 points on 6 for 8 shooting, including 2 for 2 from 3-point range.
“I think Talon is playing like a senior that realizes that her career could come to an end at any point. When she’s hitting threes, man, they’re tough,” UNH coach Megan Shoniker said after the game.
While Maine’s Adriana Smith (35 points, 15 rebounds) was emphasizing that she’s the best player in America East — by a long shot — Talon proved she’s the kind of player any team with conference title aspirations needs.
Need somebody to knock down an open three? There’s Talon doing that 22 seconds into the game to give Maine a lead it never relinquished.
Need somebody drive the lane, ignoring all contact to make the layup. There’s Talon doing that over and over without fear in the second half, helping the Black Bears pull away from the Wildcats.
Throw in a steal, two rebounds, and a couple assists, and Talon’s hands were all over the Black Bears’ lopsided win.
This was Maine’s fourth win in a row, and Talon’s fourth consecutive game scoring in double figures. Over those four games, she shot just under 64% from the floor (23 for 26) and 50% from 3-point range (7 for 14).
Talon is one of three Black Bears to start all 30 games this season. As a junior last season, she started 11 of 29 games she played, and averaged 5.5 points and 2.6 rebounds. Heading into the Black Bears’ semifinal against Binghamton on Monday, she is averaging just under nine points and 4.6 boards per game, both almost double her junior season averages.
Talon said her success is just a matter of focus.
“If it comes to me, it comes to me. I’m going to take the moment and just go for it,” she said.
After a 21-point loss to the New Jersey Institute of Technology in mid-February, Vachon pulled Talon and Asta Blauenfeldt aside.
“My dad (Maine Basketball Hall of Famer Paul Vachon, who coached the Cony girls to seven state titles) always told me, you’re only as good as your seniors,” Vachon said. “I said, ‘Addy’s doing her part. We need you guys to do it.’ And since then, they’ve been outstanding.”
Talon took that to heart.
“It had an impact on me. I want to be a leader, and I want to make the best impact on and off the floor,” she said.
If opponents are going to continue double and even triple teaming Smith, Vachon knows Talon is one of those players who will take advantage.
“Team’s aren’t guarding her, and she’s making them pay. That’s a lot of fun, when you can make them pay for not guarding you. I don’t blame them. I don’t blame them for trying to send two or three (defenders) at Addy. We’d do the exact same thing and play the percentages,” Vachon turned to Talon sitting to her direct right. “But Sarah, you’ve stepped up.”
Following a win at home, the Black Bears gather at center court, and lead the crowd in the Electric Slide. It’s been their traditional victory celebration for years. On Thursday, in the middle of it all, was Talon, pointing out all the steps.
Being the leader her coach challenged her to be.
