Orono, Maine -- Adrianna Smith posted her conference leading fourth double-double of the season but it was Fordham that came out on top as the Rams defeated Maine, 57-51, on Thursday evening.

The contest was back and forth all night with 15 ties, nine lead changes, and neither team leading by more than six.

Smith finished the night with a career-high 22 points to lead all scorers while snatching 11 rebounds to go along with seven assists and an 11-for-18 performance from the floor. Olivia Rockwood joined Smith in double-digits with 11 points.

Five lead changes and nine ties were featured through the game's opening 20 minutes.

Maine registered the largest lead of the opening half with a four point edge early in the first quarter. The Black Bears used an 8-4 opening run, keyed by four points by Smith, to take the early edge.

Fordham fought back to tie the game twice in the period but Caroline Bornemann's triple late in the quarter gave Maine a 13-10 lead after one.

The Rams used a 4-0 run to start the second, snatching their first lead of the contest with 7:42 remaining in the half.

Maine answered, retaking a two point cushion on Abbe Laurence's driving bucket in the lane.

The two teams would be tied three more times in the second quarter before Anna DeWolfe's bucket with just over a minute on the clock put the Rams up by a pair, 26-24, at the break.

Maine took its largest lead of the game at the 2:35 mark of the third quarter. With the game tied at 31-31, the Black Bears pieced together a 5-0 run. The sprint started when Jaycie Christopher pulled down an offensive board before finding Smith for two. On the ensuing Maine possession, Smith hit Rockwood for three as the Black Bears took a 36-31 lead, forcing a Fordham timeout.

Maine's lead was 40-37 after three.

However, Fordham outscored Maine 20-11 in the final period to ultimately pull ahead and finish on top.

With the Black Bears leading by a pair early in the fourth, Fordham put together a 6-0 run to take its first lead of the second half, 48-46, with 6:30 to play.

A three from Rockwood gave Maine a 51-50 advantage with 5:38 remaining but it would be the last time Maine would lead.

Fordham finished the game with a 7-0 run to capture the victory, 57-51.

Maine is back in action on Sunday, Dec. 11 when it hosts Army at The Pit on Military Appreciation Day. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.

-UMaine-