Burlington, Vt. -- Tanesha Sutton's fifth double-double of the season helped propel the University of Maine women's basketball team to a dominant 79-47 victory at Vermont on Thursday evening.

The win lifts the Black Bears to 19-9 overall and 12-3 in America East play. With UAlbany's win at Binghamton on Thursday, the Black Bears and Great Danes remain in a tie atop the America East standings. The two teams will meet on Sunday at the Cross Insurance Center at 1 p.m. to decide the America East regular season title. For tickets, visit the Cross Insurance Center box office or purchase online at TicketMaster.com.

Blanca Millan led all scorers at Vermont with 22 points on 4-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc. The scoring total marks her 27th consecutive game recording double-figures and her 14th time reaching 20 points in a game this season. Sutton finished with 17 points and 11 boards while Julie Brosseau added nine points, four rebounds and three assists.

The Black Bears, who shot 56.3 percent in the first half, finished the contest 30-for-64 (46.9) while dominating play inside. Maine outrebounded the Catamounts 44-27, 19 of its boards coming on the offensive end to lead to a 24-8 advantage in second chance points.

For the seventh time this year, Maine was able to limit its turnovers to single-digits (9) helping it to a 17-9 mark in points coming off turnovers.

Maine, which led by as many as 32 and never trailed in the contest, came out on fire in the first quarter. Maine finished the opening 10 minutes 12-of-19 from the floor (63.2) as it was able to jump out to an early advantage.

The lead quickly swelled to 15 thanks to a 17-4 Maine run. Millan's triple prior to her jump gave the Black Bears their first double-digit lead of the game, 19-8. A bucket and the harm by Kirsten Johnson and a free throw from Brosseau put Maine up 23-8 with 2:02 left in the first. Parise Rossignol's triple as time expired in the first extended the lead to 18.

Maine continued to pour on the offense in the second quarter, putting together a 7-0 run to push the lead out to 35-15 with 6:32 remaining in the first half. Another late three-point field goal to end a quarter, this one by Brosseau with just two-seconds remaining, sent Maine into the break with a 43-21 advantage.

A 6-0 run, this time on back-to-back triples by Millan, came early in the third to five Maine a 26-point edge.

Vermont answered with a 13-2 run, cutting the lead to 15 with just under four minutes left in the third.

A key timeout by head coach Amy Vachon helped to settle the Black Bears. Maine responded out of the break, ending the quarter with a 9-2 run to regain a 22-point lead.

Maine's lead would not shrink below 21 the rest of the way. The Black Bears, who outscored Vermont 19-9 in the final period, scored the final seven points of the game. Kat Williams' late layup gave Maine its largest lead of the game in what would prove to be the final, 79-47.

Maine returns home on Sunday, February 25 when it hosts UAlbany at 1 p.m. to decide the America East regular season champion. Prior to the game, beginning at 11 a.m., the Black Bears will host the National Girls and Women in Sports Celebration. Sunday will also be Senior Day for Johnson and Maine's annual Play4Kay Pink Game. To donate to the Play4Kay cause, please click here.

This February, the University of Maine community comes together with the support of the Maine Sports Commission to celebrate the achievements of women and girls in sports. We believe that participation in sports at all ages builds courage, strength, and character and provides women with the confidence and tools to become the leaders of tomorrow. Please join us at our games and celebration events throughout the month. 

To support UMaine Women's Athletics, please visit: our.umaine.edu/fillthesteins

-UMaine-