Burlington, Vt. – Tanesha Sutton matched a career-high with 27 points as the Black Bears moved to 3-0 in America East play with a 63-51 at Vermont on Wednesday evening.
 
Maine used a 16-2 run over the final 4:18 to pick up its third consecutive victory.
 
Sutton finished the contest 11-of-16 from the floor, and 5-of-5 from the free throw stripe, for her fourth career 20-plus scoring performance. Blanca Millan joined Sutton in double-digits, tallying 15 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Parise Rossignol rounded out Maine's double-figure scorers, finishing with 11 points and six boards. For Rossignol, the scoring total marked her third straight game in double-figures.
 
Maine, which entered the evening ranked eighth in the nation in turnovers per game (12.1), gave the ball away just three times. The tally marked Maine's fifth single-digit turnover total performance of the season.
 
The Black Bears had their best free throw shooting night of the year, going 12-of-13 (92.3) from the charity stripe.
 
Sutton and Millan combined for 26 of Maine's 30 first half points.
 
Over the first nine minutes of taction, neither team was able to gain separation by more than three points. The Black Bears, trailing by three with 4:16 left in the first, closed out the opening quarter with a 10-2 run. Maine opened the second with a 7-0 sprint as Kelly Fogarty's triple put the Black Bears up by 12. The 23-11 advantage would mark Maine's largest lead of the half.
 
Vermont would answer back, putting together an 11-0 run to chip the Maine lead all the way back to one with 4:36 on the clock.
 
The Catamounts were able to knot the game at 27-all before Millan's triple as time expired in the half gave the Black Bears a 30-27 lead at the break.
 
A 5-0 run, capped on another clutch triple from Millan, rebuilt a six-point lead early in the third. The Maine lead would reach seven midway through the period.
 
Vermont clawed its way back into it, closing the third with a 5-0 run to trim the deficit to a pair after three.
 
The Catamounts tied the game at 47-47 before regaining the lead on Hanna Crymble's layup with 4:47 to play.
 
Maine settled in and looked to put the game away as Sutton's jumper tied it once again, beginning a 16-2 run from the Black Bears.
 
Back to back treys from Dor Saar and Rossignol expanded the lead to eight. Vermont was able to break a four minute scoring drought with another layup from Crymble but the Black Bears would seal the deal with free throws to earn their third America East victory of the season, 63-51.
 
Maine returns home to the Cross Insurance Center to host UAlbany on Saturday, Jan. 12 at 1 p.m. For tickets, please visit TicketMaster.com or order by phone at 207.581.BEAR.

-UMaine-