Orono, Maine -- The University of Maine women's basketball team jumped out to a 17 point lead in the first half but was unable to hold on, falling in overtime by a final of 66-61 to Providence on Saturday afternoon.

In a game which featured seven lead changes and five ties, Anne Simon paced Maine with a game-high 24 points and 11 rebounds to tally her fifth career double-double to go along with four steals and three assists. Alba Orois poured in a career-high 13 points and three assists while Maeve Carroll added eight points, five boards, and a career-high seven rebounds.

Maine finished the contest 23-of-69 (33.3) from the floor, including a 8-for-31 showing from 3-point range, while hitting 7-of-10 from the charity stripe. Maine forced 22 Providence turnovers, leading to a 23-8 advantage in points off turnovers.

Providence was led by Emily Archibald who registered 20 points and six boards while Janai Crooms finished with 18 points and 19 boards to go along with five assists and four blocks. Despite a poor first quarter, in which they shot 1-of-13 from the floor with seven turnovers, Providence was able to rally back for the victory.

Maine came out on fire, playing in front of its home crowd for the first time in 615 days, as it rallied for a 17-3 run to open a strong first half. Maine closed the opening quarter on a 9-0 run to carry a 17-3 edge into the second as Simon poured in eight of Maine's first 17 points.

With Maine leading 20-3 early in the second quarter, Providence began to chip away. A 17-6 run from the Friars trimmed the deficit to six with 3:11 left in the half. A late bucket from Crooms sent Maine into the break holding on to a 28-24 lead.

Providence took its first lead of the game with 6:49 to play in the third quarter when Archibald's jumper put the visitors on top, 32-30.

The Black Bears rallied late in the third, putting together an 8-2 run capped by a triple from Orois to put Maine up by five.

Providence was able to regain a two point lead in the fourth before Maine responded with back-to-back triples from Simon and Rockwood, eventually leading to a 54-49 lead for the Black Bears.

With Maine leading by three with just over a minute to play, Mary Baskerville worked inside for a pair while drawing the foul. Baskerville's free throw would tie the game, ultimately sending the contest into overtime.

Maine would not lead in the overtime period as Providence opened with a 7-2 run to take a 63-58 lead with 2:13 remaining in the extra period. Two free throws by Simon and one from Abbe Laurence trimmed the lead to a pair before Crooms would hit one of two from the free throw line to put Providence up by three. Maine would have a chance to tie it but the triple would fall short. Providence tacked on two late free throws, sealing the victory by a final of 66-61.

The Black Bears return to action on Monday when they host Delaware at the Cross Insurance Center at 7 p.m.

-UMaine-