Bangor, Maine -- Parise Rossignol tallied 16 of her game-high 19 points in the first half as the Black Bears knocked down 15 threes in an 84-44 rout of visiting UMBC on Saturday afternoon at the Cross Insurance Center. The win moves Maine to 2-0 in America East play for the first time since 2016.

Maine's 40 point victory was its largest margin of victory since a 96-54 win over Robert Morris in 2002. The point differential was also Maine's largest over a conference foe since it defeated Drexel by 42 in 1997.

The Black Bears recorded their sixth double-digit three-point total of the year as the 15 makes from long range were their most since a record-setting 16 makes on Dec. 5, 2017. Maine's 84 points marked its highest scoring output in conference play since an 84-point showing back on Jan. 27, 2017 against UAlbany.

Rossignol, who has now recorded double-figures in seven of her last 10 outings, finished the afternoon 7-for-9 from the floor, including a 5-for-6 showing from beyond the arc. Kelly Fogarty chipped in a season-high 14 points, with four treys, off the bench while Fanny Wadling added nine points and six points. Doga Alper also provided key production off the bench, posting career-highs in points (8) and rebounds (6).

The Black Bears posted their highest field goal shooting performance (60.0) of the year and best mark since Nov. 22, 2015 at North Dakota State (66.7).

Maine came out on fire and never took its foot off the throttle. The Black Bears went 6-for-7 from three-point range in the first quarter, finishing the quarter 12-of-16 from the floor overall while carrying a 31-8 edge into the second period.

The Black Bears raced out to a 13-3 start on eight points, including two triples, from Rossignol. UMBC cut the lead to five before the Black Bears closed the first with a 17-0 run. Two triples from Fogarty and one each from Rossignol and Alper helped Maine close the first quarter with a 23 point advantage.

Maine continued its run in the second period, building its lead out to 30 while extending the run to 24-0.

In total, the Black Bears were able to hold UMBC scoreless for 6:59 seconds over the first half spring.

After UMBC chipped the lead to 29, Maine closed the second quarter with an 11-0 edge. A triple from Alper closed the quarter run, sending Maine into the break with a 54-14 advantage.

Maine's lead would never sink below 36 in the second half.

The advantage ballooned to 43 on Maddy McVicar's three as time expired in the third.

Leading by 39 with 5:14 remaining in regulation, Fogarty put together an 8-0 run with a pair of triples. The sprint would give Maine its largest lead of the contest (45), at 82-37, with just 2:28 to play.

Maine cruised through the remaining two minutes, locking up an 84-44 win to move to 2-0 in league play for the first time since 2016.

The Black Bears continue league play with their first road conference action of the year when they travel to Vermont on Jan. 9. Tip is set for 7 p.m. live on ESPN3. A win for the Black Bears at Vermont would give them a 3-0 start to conference action since 2004.

-UMaine-