Bangor, Maine -- The University of Maine women's basketball team held a five point lead on NJIT with 4:38 remaining in regulation. However, the Highlanders would fight back, tie the game, and ultimately outscore Maine 10-2 in overtime to earn a 67-59 victory on Sunday afternoon.

Anne Simon paced Maine's attack, registering her 11th double-digit scoring performance of the season with team-high 19 points as the junior guard went 7-of-7 from the free throw line. Maeve Carroll added 16 points and seven rebounds while Alba Orois added 15 points and four assists to round ot Maine's double-figure scorers.

Maine posted its best showing from the free throw on the season, finishing 12-of-13 from the stripe, while ending the contest 21-of-66 (31.8) overall from the floor.

NJIT posted a 40-35 advantage on the boards, turning 13 offensive rebounds into 24 second chance points. Kenna Squier led the Highlanders with a game-high 24 points.

After falling behind by six in the first period, Maine would piece together a 7-0 run to capture its first lead of the afternoon. Caroline Bornemann's corner triple started the second quarter scoring before Simon's bucket off a turnover put Maine on top for the first time, 13-12.

A 14-5 run from the Highlanders gave the visitors their largest lead of the game, 26-18, late in the second quarter. NJIT would enter the half holding a 29-23 advantage.

Maine began chipping away early in the third as a triple from Orois kick started an 11-3 Maine run as Carroll's bucket tied the game at 36-all.

The Black Bears quickly fell behind by five but answered with a 8-0 sprint. Simon's trey cut the deficit to a pair before Carroll tied it on her 10th point of the afternoon. Maine regained the lead soon after as Simon picked off the NJIT pass at the top of the key before racing coast-to-coast for the bucket and the foul. Simon's free throw gave Maine a 44-41 edge entering the fourth.

The run kept rolling into the fourth as buckets from Paula Gallego and Simon gave Maine its largest lead at 48-41.

NJIT rallied with a 7-0 run to knot the game again but Maine again responded, this time with two free throws from Carroll and another Orois triple, stretching the lead back out to five.

The Highlanders chipped away down the stretch, tying the game and sending it to overtime on Squier's bucket with 42-seconds left.

NJIT opened the overtime period with a 7-0 run and did not allow Maine to record a field goal, holding the Black Bears to a pair of free throws in the extra frame, to earn a 67-59 victory.

Maine is back in action on Thursday, Jan. 5 when they travel to meet Hartford at 7 p.m.

-UMaine-