Orono, Maine -- A strong second half, one that saw Vermont outscore Maine 18-8 in the fourth quarter, helped lead the Catamounts to a 61-52 victory over Maine on Wednesday evening. The loss snapped Maine's four game conference win streak and also ended Maine's 10 game win streak against Vermont.

Anne Simon led Maine with 17 points on 8-of-17 shooting to go along with five rebounds and three assists. Adrianna Smith finished with 13 points and seven rebounds, stretching her double-digit scoring streak to eight-straight. Jaycie Christopher rounded out Maine's double-figure scorers with 11 points off the bench.

Maine, which led by as many as eight, finished the evening 23-of-56 from the floor (41.1), including a 4-of-19 mark from three point range. The contest featured eight lead changes and three ties.

After a back-and-forth first quarter, which saw neither team lead by more than three, Maine began to separate itself in the second.

Leading by one after a quarter of play, Maine opened the second period on 5-0 run. Abbe Laurence cashed in off her own offensive rebound before Simon's triple off a feed from Caroline Bornemann put Maine up six with 7:44 left in the first half.

The lead was cut to five before Smith capitalized off a Vermont turnover with a bucket and a foul. Her free throw gave Maine its largest lead of the contest, 26-18.

Maine's lead stood at 29-24 at the break.

Vermont chipped the deficit to one early in the third before Maine answered with another run. Simon slashed through the paint for two to jump start a 6-0 sprint for the Black Bears. Simon again hit, this time an outside jumper, before Sarah Talon's floating layup put Maine back up by seven midway through the third.

The Catamounts kept charging, cutting the lead down to three before ultimately taking the lead on a triple with just 15 seconds left in the third. However, Maine immediately answered as Christopher was able to knock down a three as the buzzer sounded, ending the third and sending Maine into the fourth with a 44-43 edge.

Vermont opened the fourth on a 12-0 run, holding Maine scoreless over the opening 7:21 of the final quarter. Emma Utterback's free throw completed the run and gave the Catamounts a 55-44 lead.

The Black Bears were unable to get any closer than seven the rest of the way as Vermont escaped with a 61-52 victory.

Maine returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 21 when it travels to take on Binghamton at 2 p.m.

-UMaine-