Bangor, Maine -- Caroline Bornemann led four double-figure scorers as Maine earned its eight-straight victory with a 71-56 win over Hartford on Wednesday evening.

For the sixth time this season, the Black Bears forced 20 or more turnovers as they turned the Hawks over 22 times assisted in part by 15 steals. Maine finished the night 26-of-62 (41.9) from the field with eight triples and an 11-for-12 mark from the free throw stripe.

Bornemann guided the Maine offense with 17 points on 5-of-9 from three-point range while Alba Orois registered her first career double-double with 15 points and 11 assists. Maeve Carroll added her third double-double in her last five outings with 10 points and 12 boards while Anne Simon chipped in 12 points to extend her double-figure scoring streak to 17 in a row.

The contest featured eight lead changes and five ties as Maine and Hartford traded the lead eight times in the first quarter.

The Black Bears distanced themselves in the second, outscoring Hartford 14-7 in the frame. With the game tied at 21-21, the Black Bears pieced together an 8-0 run. Sera Hodgson's triple off and offensive board by Bornemann put Maine up by eight before three-straight free throws by Orois gave Maine its largest lead of the opening half, 29-21.

Hartford closed the gap to a pair as it opened the second half with a 5-0 run.

Maine had the answer, running the lead back out to eight late in the third quarter when Paula Gallego cashed in on a jump in the paint before a three from Bornemann pushed the lead to 47-39.

Maine, which took its first double-digit lead of the contest on a bucket from Bornemann to start the fourth, stretched the lead to 20 with three minutes remaining in regulation. A 12-2 run started with another triple by Bornemann before three more the old fashioned way from Orois extended the distance to 16. After a Hartford bucket, Bornemann answered with back-to-back triples as Maine's lead grew to 69-49.

The lead would not shrink below 15 the rest of the way as Maine improved to 11-3 in conference play with a 71-56 victory.

The Black Bears continue America East play on Saturday when they travel to meet NJIT at 2 p.m.

-UMaine-