Orono, Maine -- The University of Maine women's basketball team made its conference record 21st appearance in the America East title game but came up short in the end, falling to No. 2 UAlbany by a final of 56-47 on Friday evening in front of a sold out crowd of 1,329 at The Pit inside Memorial Gymnasium.

Anne Simon paced Maine with a team-high 15 points as the junior reached double-digit scoring in her 22nd consecutive game. Caroline Bornemann, who was named to the America East All-Tournament Team, added 13 points to give her double-digit scoring efforts in each of Maine's three postseason contests. Maeve Carroll, also named to the All-Tournament Team, added nine points, nine rebounds, three steals, and three blocks.

Morgan Haney came off the bench to lead the Great Danes with a game-high 20 points.

Maine struggled from the field, shooting just 34 percent (18-of-53) in the contest including a 3-of-13 mark from three point range. The Black Bears continued their streak of impressive defensive performances as they forced 18 UAlbany turnovers with 10 steals while limiting the Great Danes to just 1-of-11 shooting in the third quarter.

The Black Bears never led in the contest.

UAlbany raced out to an eight point lead after one quarter before stretching the lead to 10, its largest of the first half, with 6:07 left in the second quarter.

The lead reached 12 early in the third quarter before Maine began to chip away.

Maine would close the third quarter on an 8-2 run as back-to-back as Simon tallied a bucket off an offensive rebound by Bornemann before Alba Orois raced down court for two. A bucket from UAlbany stretched the lead back out to 10 before Maine answered with a 4-0 run to close the third. Carroll's layup as time expired in the third sent Maine to the final quarter trailing by six.

The Great Danes gained composure, regaining a nine point cushion before Maine again made a run. Olivia Rockwood recorded the hustle plays to lead to buckets for Maine as her offensive rebound led to a Simon bucket before Rockwood stole the ensuing inbound pass and fed it to Simon for another two. Maine would trail by five with 2:32 remaining.

However, the Black Bears were unable to cut the deficit down any further. Maine had its chances to tighten the gap down the stretch but would finish the contest two of its last six as the Great Danes escaped with the title win, 56-47.

Maine will await its fate as it has earned the America East's automatic qualified into the upcoming WNIT.

-UMaine-