ALBANY, N.Y. – After battling through 11 first half lead changes, the University of Maine women's basketball team used a strong second half to register its fifth consecutive victory, defeating UAlbany, 65-44, on Saturday evening.
 
The Black Bears were able to outscore UAlbany 31-19 over the final 20 minutes to score their sixth consecutive win over the Great Danes.
 
Maine's offense featured four double-digit scorers, led by Anne Simon's game-high 17 points. Simon, who has now reached double-figures in seven of her last eight and each of her last five, finished 7-of-14 from the floor. Simon was joined in double-digits by Maddy McVicar who finished with 14 while matching a career-best with eight boards. Maeve Carroll added 13 points in the win while Dor Saar chipped in 12 and six assists.
 
The performance was one of Maine's best defensive showings of the year as the Black Bears held UAlbany to the lowest point total scored against Maine in league paly this year. Maine was able to forced 16 turnovers while holding the Great Danes to just 20-of-53 from the floor, 1-for11 from 3-point range.
 
Following back and forth action, including 11 lead changes and six ties over the game's first 16:30, Maine was able to distance itself. The Black Bears closed the first half on a 9-0 run. Kelly Fogarty's triple late in the second lifted Maine's lead to five before a late bucket by Saar sent Maine into the break with a 34-25 advantage.
 
UAlbany was able to cut the lead to five in the third but it would be as tight as the game would get.
 
The Black Bears exploded with a 15-2 run, capped on back-to-back buckets from Carroll and Simon to extend the lead out to 18 early in the fourth.
 
Maine closed out its fifth consecutive victory with a 4-0 run, sealing the deal on a 21-point, 65-44 win.
 
The Black Bears are back in action on Sunday, Feb. 23 when they play host to the America East's current number one seed Stony Brook Seawolves. Tip is set for 1 p.m. on a day which will feature UMaine's National Girls & Women in Sports Celebration. For details, and tickets, please visit GoBlackBears.com.
 
-UMaine-