Box Score Clemson, S.C. -- Sigi Koizar tallied a game-high 21 points but Clemson outscored the Black Bears 40-32 in the second half to capture a 69-61 victory on Friday evening at Littlejohn Coliseum.

Koizar, who netted 20+ for the 21st time in her career, went 7-of-17 from the floor including a season-high five makes from beyond the arc. Tanesha Sutton finished with nine points while Laia Sole chipped in eight , all coming in the first half. Senior Sheraton Jones added five points and a career-high eight boards.

Maine controlled the boards by a 37-32 advantage but it was on the foul line where the difference was apparent. The Black Bears were whistled for 24 fouls to Clemson's 14, allowing the Tigers to go 21-for-31 from the charity stripe. Maine finished the game 6-of-10 from the line.

The Black Bears hit a season-high nine 3-pointers. Clemson forced 18 Maine turnovers, turning the take aways into a 19-7 advantage for points off turnovers.

Maine got off to a hot start, pouring in 20 points over the opening 10 minutes of play. Trailing 12-7 just under five minutes into the game, Maine ended the quarter with a 13-4 run. The first of five 3-pointers from Koizar started the sprint before a layup by the senior gave Maine a 20-15 edge. The Black Bears would lead 20-16 after the first quarter.

Maine's largest lead of the game came 50-seconds into the second quarter when Julie Brosseau completed a 3-point play with a free throw. The lead for the Black Bears would be seven, 25-18.

Clemson had the answer when its 9-2 run knotted the game at 27-all. The two teams traded hoops to end the half, sending the game into the break tied at 29-29.

Koizar and Clemson's Danielle Edwards put on a scoring exhibit in the third quarter. Edwards finished the quarter with 10 while Koizar kept pace with nine of her own. The Tigers were able to grab the advantage with a pair of late third quarter free throws from Aliyah Collier to carry a 47-43 lead into the fourth.

Clemson, which ended the third on a 6-2 sprint, scored the first 10 points unanswered in the fourth, elevating its lead to 57-43. Shortly after, a triple from Nelly Perry gave the Tigers their largest advantage, 64-48, with 3:07 to play.

Maine continued to fight as it put together a 9-0 run, keyed on 3-pointers from Fanny Wadling and Koizar, to cut the lead to seven.

However, Clemson would hang on, taking the victory by a score of 69-61.

Maine returns home to host Northeastern on Wednesday, Dec. 7 as part of a men's and women's doubleheader at the Cross Insurance Center. The men will tipoff against Holy Cross at 5 p.m. following by the women. For tickets, please visit Ticketmaster.com or the Cross Insurance Center box office.

-UMaine-