BANGOR, Maine -- Four Black Bears finished in double-digits as the University of Maine women's basketball team (18-7, 11-1) avenged its loss to Hartford (16-9, 9-2) by handing the Hawks a 78-58 victory on Senior Night at the Cross Insurance Center. The win, Maine's seventh in a row, moved the Black Bears into sole possession of first place atop the America East standings while also clinching an America East quarterfinal home game.

The final point spread marked the seventh time this season in which the Black Bears have defeated a conference foe by 20 or more points this season.

Tanesha Sutton and Parise Rossignol each recorded memorable senior nights, both finishing in double-figures. Sutton, who stands just six points from 1,000 in her collegiate career, led all scorers with 24 points, on 9-of-14 shooting, to go along with nine rebounds while Rossignol went 6-of-9 from 3-point range to finish with 18 points, six boards and four assists. Rossignol has now posted double-digit scoring efforts in each of her last six outings.

The duo was joined in double-figures by Blanca Millan and Dor Saar. Saar posted a career-high 19 points with six assists while Millan filled the stat sheet with 15 points, three assists, four steals and career-high five blocks. Millan's point total moved her into 10th on Maine's all-time scoring list with 1,300 career points while her steal total advanced her to fourth on the Black Bears' career steals list with 233. Fanny Wadling tallied 10 rebounds and five assists on the evening, her fifth double-digit rebounding effort of the season.

Maine finished 28-of-55 from the floor, good for its second-best shooting performance of the year (50.9) while it knocked down 11 triples while going 11-of-13 from the free throw line. The Black Bears, who shot 53-percent or better in three of the four quarters, sealed the game by going 9-of-13 (69.2) in the final stanza.

For the fifth time in its last six games, Maine was able to tally 20 or more assists as it notched 20 helpers on 28 field goals. Defensively, the Black Bears forced 18 Hartford turnovers and outscored the Hawks 25-13 in points off those mishaps.

The Black Bears faithful were treated to yet another hot start from Maine on its home court, starting 6-of-9 from the floor to rush out to a seven point lead over the opening 6:22 of action. Rossignol's triple and a make from Sutton added up to a 5-0 first quarter run as the Black Bears took an 18-11 lead late in the first.

The lead was cut to a pair midway through the second quarter and again with 2:35 left in the half before the Black Bears put together another run. Two free throws from Millan started the sprint before Saar, working off a steal by Millan, hit a trey. A free throw from Saar put the Black Bears back on top by seven, a lead they would carry into the break.

Leading by six with just under two minutes gone in the third, Maine went on a 9-0 run to build a 15-point advantage. Buckets from Sutton and Millan came before Rossignol dialed up her first of four second half triples. Wadling found Millan for two more as the Black Bears lead would be 47-34 with 5:31 left with 5:50 left in the third.

Hartford was able to chip away, cutting the lead back down to eight but Maine would end the quarter strong, taking a double-digit lead, 55-45, into the final quarter.

Maine was able to put the game away with a strong fourth period, outscoring the Hawks 23-13 over the final 10 minutes of action.

A 10-1 run lifted the Maine lead to 20 early in the fourth. A Rossignol three started the Maine streak before Sutton found Saar who another bucket from downtown, extending the lead out to 68-48 at the midway point of the period.

The Black Bears would cruise the rest of the way, taking its largest lead of the game with a 24 point advantage thanks to Sutton's layup with 1:03 left. Maine glided throughout the final minute, ultimately handing Hartford a 78-58 decision.

Maine continues America East action on Saturday when it travels to take on UAlbany at 2 p.m.

-UMaine-