BANGOR, Maine -- Tanesha Sutton registered her sixth double-double of the season to help lead the University of Maine women's basketball team to a 69-36 victory over New Hampshire in America East quarterfinal action on Wednesday evening.

The Black Bears advance to the America East semifinals for the fifth-straight year where they will host UAlbany on Sunday, March 10 at 1 p.m. The semifinal contest will take place on the UMaine campus at 'The Pit' inside Memorial Gymnasium. Tickets may be purchased by phone at 207.581.BEAR, in-person at the Alfond Arena box office or online at GoBlackBears.com/tickets.

The Black Bears, who extended their win streak to 12-straight, outscored New Hampshire 22-9 in the first quarter and never looked back. Maine forced 21 Wildcat turnovers, outscoring UNH 25-0 in points off turnovers, while forced 13 steals, seven blocks and holding the visitors to a 25-percent shooting night. The win marked the fourth consecutive season in which Maine has defeated New Hampshire in the postseason.

Sutton paved the way on offense with her 13th career double-double after recording a game-high 24 points to go along with 12 rebounds. The point total stretched her double-digit scoring streak to six-straight while her rebounding total moved her into 14th on Maine's all-time list. Sutton, who went 10-for-10 from the free throw stripe, was one of four Black Bears to tally three steals on the evening.

Blanca Millan added 19 points and three assists while Dor Saar chipped in 10 points, four assists and three steals. Fanny Wadling continued her rapid rebounding pace, narrowly missing out on a double-double with 13 rebounds and nine points. Wadling has now recorded double-digit rebounds in four of her last five outings.

The Black Bears held New Hampshire to single digit scoring efforts in the first and fourth quarters while shooting above 40-percent in each period to help distance themselves from the Wildcats. Maine won the rebounding battle with 42 boards including 19 on the offensive glass. The Black Bears outscored New Hampshire 26-6 in second chance points, 32-12 in the paint, and cashed in on 18-of-21 free throw attempts for its highest made free throw total of the season.

Maine jumped out to an early 9-0 lead after it held New Hampshire scoreless over the opening 6:27.

The Black Bears quickly added to its early advantage with a 8-0 run late in the first. Leading 12-5, Sutton and Rossignol both cashed in on offensive putbacks. Saar found Millan for two before adding another assist on a Sutton make as the Black Bears found themselves up 20-5 with just under three minutes left in the first.

After New Hampshire cut the lead to 13, Maine, which outscored New Hampshire 22-6 in the paint in the first half, reeled off a 5-0 run to extend the advantage out to 17.

The Black Bears closed the half with a layup from Sutton to take a comfortable 40-20 lead into the break.

Maine's offense remained hot to start the second half, beginning with an 8-2 run with four points from Sutton to extend the lead to 26.

The Black Bears entered the fourth quarter with a 52-27 advantage and wouldn't let the deficit drop below 25 the rest of the way.

Leading 60-35 with 3:44 remaining, Maine was able to string together a 7-0 run beginning with back-to-back buckets from Wadling before Kelly Fogarty's triple increased the lead to 31.

Maddy McVicar's pair of free throws ended the scoring as the Black Bears advanced their win streak to 12 in a row with a 69-36 decision.

-UMaine-