Bangor, Maine -- The University of Maine women's basketball team earned the 2021-22 America East regular season crown after defeating UMBC, 71-47, for their 12th consecutive victory on Sunday afternoon at the Cross Insurance Center.

The regular season title marks the fourth time in the past five seasons, and the 18th time in history, in which the Black Bears have earned at least a share of the regular season championship. Maine, which finished the regular season 18-10 overall and 15-3 in league play, will enter the upcoming America East Playoffs as the league's number one seed.

Anne Simon registered 19 of her game-high 24 points in the second half as she finished the contest 9-of-18 from the floor with four triples, four rebounds, and four assists. The scoring mark stretched Simon's double-figure streak to 19 in a row. Caroline Bornemann added 14 points with three triples while Alba Orois chipped in 11 points and nine assists. Maeve Carroll grabbed 10 boards and added four points on her senior day.

Maine started the contest cold, shooting just 3-of-17 in the first quarter, before taking fire.

The Black Bears trailed by four after one before outscoring UMBC 23-9 in the second quarter. Maine opened the second on a 10-0 run, regaining the lead on a fastbreak bucket from Simon. Maine's lead would sit at three before an 8-0 spurt from the Black Bears pushed the lead out to 11. Bornemann would start things with a bucket while drawing a foul and making her free throw. Another fastbreak bucket by Bornemann would end the run as the Black Bears found themselves up 25-14 with just over three minutes left in the half.

Maine would enter the half with a double-digit lead, 30-20.

Maine, leading by 12 in the third, would hit three-straight triples as part of 9-0 run as Olivia Rockwood got things started before back-to-back treys from Simon put Maine on top by 21.

Another quick sprint, this one a 6-0 margin, ballooned the lead out to 25 late in the third quarter.

The Black Bears began the fourth quarter on an 8-0 run as they would stay hot from downtown with triples from Bailey Wilborn and Bornemann. A second triple by Wilborn midway through the fourth quarter gave Maine its largest lead of the afternoon, 67-37.

The Black Bears would cruise down the stretch, sealing the deal on their 12th-straight victory by a 71-47 margin.

Maine will host the America East quarterfinal round on Saturday, March 5 at 1 p.m. at Memorial Gymnasium.

-UMaine-