BANGOR, Maine -- For the sixth time this season, the University of Maine women's basketball team forced 20 or more turnovers as the visiting UMass Lowell River Hawks suffered 24 mishaps to help lead the Black Bears to a 76-50 victory on Thursday evening at the Cross Insurance Center.

Maine, which boasted a +16 turnover margin, limited itself to just three turnovers in the first three quarters, ending with eight total. Maine took full advantage of UMass Lowell's mishaps, turning the River Hawks' 24 mistakes into a 31-3 advantage in points off turnovers.

Sigi Koizar turned in her 14th double-digit scoring performance of the season, leading all scorers with 16 points, hitting four three points and adding five assists and a game-high five steals. The senior surpassed another milestone in her historic career as Koizar moved ahead of Missy Traversi and into third on Maine's all-time 3-point list (176). Anita Kelava joined Koizar in double-figures, netting a career-best 15 points on 5-for-7 shooting from the field to go along with five rebounds.

All 13 of Maine's players who touched the court tallied a bucket on a night which saw the Black Bears shoot 44.6% from the floor (29-for-65) while hitting 8-of-24 from 3-point range and 10-of-15 free throw attempts.

The Black Bears bested 20 points in each of the first two quarters to take a healthy lead into the half.

With Maine trailing by one, 4:12 into the first, Koizar knocked down a pair of 3-pointers which started a 10-2 run by the Black Bears to close the quarter. Maine's lead after one would be seven.

The second quarter saw Maine shoot 53.3% from the floor while hitting six free throws for a 25 point effort. Julie Brosseau scored the first four points of the second, putting Maine up 24-13.

UMass Lowell was able to cut the lead to eight before Maine closed the half on fire. The Black Bears, behind triples by Kelava and Koizar, ended the second quarter on a 16-2 run, giving them a 22 point cushion at the break.

After a three by UMass Lowell started the half, the Black Bears pieced together an 11-2 run. Koizar's fourth 3-pointer of the evening gave Maine its largest lead of the game, 56-28, with 4:35 left in the third.

The lead would not sink below 19 the rest of the way as Maine outscored the River Hawks, 13-8, in the final period and cruised to a 76-50 victory.

The Black Bears will go for their third consecutive victory on Sunday, Feb. 12 when they host Stony Brook at 1 p.m. in the annual "Play4Kay" pink game. To donate to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, please click here.

For tickets to Sunday's game, fans may visit the Cross Insurance Center box office or purchase through TicketMaster.com.

-UMaine-