ORONO, Maine - - Anne Simon recorded 18 second half points and 24 total in a close loss to the Riverhawks Wednesday at the Cross Insurance Center.

Maine entered Wednesday night's matchup versus the University of Massachusetts-Lowell with a 3-2 America East record and was seeking their seventeenth win over the Riverhawks in program history. Both squads started off hot, trading hits back and forth and resided at a 15-14 Lowell lead after the first quarter.

Lowell scored 12 points in the second quarter to gain breathing room from Maine at the half, leading 27-22. Maine's younger core held up their end in the first half. Freshman guard Paula Gallego was a force on the defensive end, sophomore guard Olivia Rockwood knocked down a three-pointer, and an outstanding overall presence from do-it-all sophomore guard Alba Orois.

In the second half, junior standout Anne Simon took over along with freshman Adrianna Smith. Simon followed up a six-point first half with 18 in the second, carrying the team on her back. Adrianna Smith found herself all over the floor on defense and offense. The young forward set a new career high for points at nine, with an additional five assists and two blocks.

After struggling to connect on shots for the middle part of the game, the Black Bears unleashed their best in the fourth, outscoring Lowell 19-16 in the closing quarter.
A valiant effort was put together by a mix of the Maine veterans and new comers. Trailing for the majority of the second half, they pulled to within 3 points from a late three-point shot from Simon. The run was not enough as the River Hawks held onto a five point for a final score of 60-55.

The Black Bears return to the court Saturday with a conference contest at UMBC. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 pm.

-UMaine-