W. Hartford, Conn. -- The University of Maine women's basketball team moved to 5-0 for just the fourth time in school history, and the first time since 1986, after it was able to hold on for a 52-49 victory at Hartford on Wednesday afternoon. The win, Maine's 15th in a row, gives the Black Bears a 2-0 start in America East play.

The Black Bears, who did not take their first lead in this contest until there were 38-seconds to play in the third quarter, were again led by Blanca Millan. Millan posted a game-high 22 points in the win while adding six rebounds and five steals. It was another milestone performance from Millan who surpassed former teammate Sigi Koizar to move into seventh on Maine's all-time scoring list with 1,678 points. Millan also moved past head coach Amy Vachon and into fourth on Maine's all-time steals list with 280 takeaways in her career.

Dor Saar posted her third double-digit scoring effort of the season with 13 points with a trio of 3-point field goals and three assists. Anne Simon added her second consecutive double-figure performance, tallying all 10 of her points in the second half.

Maine, which had not trailed at a quarter break through its first four contests of the season, struggled to find a rhythm from the floor. The Black Bears trailed 13-9 after one and and found themselves down 27-22 at the break.

The visiting Black Bears seemed to get back on track in the third as they began attacking the rim and were able to outscore Hartford 20-14 in the period.

A 14-9 run to start the third helped Maine force a tie late in the quarter. Trailing 33-25, Maine staged an 11-3 run, with two buckets each from Simon and Millan, before Saar's triple tied things at 36-all with 2:51 left in the third.

Maine fell back behind by three but quickly was able to put together a 4-0 sprint. A free throw each from Alba Orois and Simon cut the lead to one before Millan's jumper, her 20th point of the contest, gave Maine its first lead with 38-seconds left in the third quarter.

The Black Bears built a five point lead, their largest of the contest, in the fourth when triples from Simon and Saar came as part of an 8-4 run.

Hartford would respond with a 4-0 run, trimming the deficit to 50-49 with 53-seconds remaining in regulation.

Following a Maine shot clock violation, Hartford would call a timeout, advancing the ball into its scoring zone with 23-seconds to play. However, great defense from Saar, with an assist on the help-side from Fanny Wadling, forced the Hartford ball handler to travel.

A pair of free throws by Saar built the lead to three. Hartford would have one more attempt at a three to tie it, but the shot would hit the backboard and fall harmlessly as time expired. Maine would escape with the 52-49 road victory.

The Black Bears are back in action when they take their 5-0 record to New Hampshire for a two-game weekend set beginning on Saturday, Jan. 2 at 1 p.m.

-UMaine-