Newark, N.J. -- The Black Bears outscored the Highlanders 23-4 in the first quarter and never looked back, earning their ninth-straight win with a 77-43 victory at NJIT on Saturday afternoon.

Maeve Carroll posted her fourth double-double in her last six outings, and the 17th of her career, as she poured in a season-high 20 points while adding 12 rebounds and seven assists. Alba Orois turned in her sixth-straight double-digit scoring effort with 18 points and seven assists while Anne Simon reached double-figures for the 17th consecutive game with 13 points and six boards.

Maine turned 20 NJIT turnovers into 25 points and once again won the rebound battle with a 37-32 edge on the glass. The Black Bears completed the win by going 30-of-62 (48.4) from the floor, 9-of-16 (56.3) from three-point range, and 8-of-10 from the charity stripe.

The Black Bears raced out to a 19 point lead in the first quarter after holding the Highlanders to just 1-of-10 from the floor in the first quarter.

After a three from NJIT with 7:47 remaining in the first quarter, the Black Bears would hold the Highlanders without a field goal over the next 12:26 of game play. During the stretch, Maine would piece together a 21-1 run to carry a 23-4 advantage into the second quarter.

The run would continue into the second as Maine rattled off eight unanswered to start the period, stretching the streak to 29-1, as the lead reached 27 on a jumper by Carroll.

NJIT would use an 8-1 run to shrink the lead under 20 and eventually down to 17 as the Black Bears entered the half with a 35-18 advantage.

The Highlanders would score the first two buckets of the third, cutting the lead to 14. However, it would be as close as NJIT would get.

A 9-0 Maine run, keyed by five-straight points from Orois, ran the lead back up to 23 midway through the third.

The Black Bears brought a 25 point lead into the fourth quarter and continued to roll. Maine would start the final quarter with a 15-6 run to take its largest lead of the contest, 70-36, with 3:53 remaining in regulation.

Maine would cruise to victory over the final minutes to earn its ninth consecutive victory by a final of 77-43.

The Black Bears take their 12-3 conference mark to UAlbany where they will meet the Great Danes on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

-UMaine-