Orono, Maine -- Caroline Bornemann's reverse layup with 8.1 seconds remaining in regulation proved to be the difference as the Black Bears (11-9, 7-1 AE) handed UAlbany (14-9, 8-1) its first loss in conference play with a 50-49 decision on Saturday afternoon. The victory marks Maine's 12th victory over the Great Danes in the last 13 meetings between the two programs.

Maine, which jumped out to an 18 point lead in the first quarter, was led by Adrianna Smith's 22 points and nine rebounds. The point tally marked Smith's 11th-straight game in double-figures and her seventh time scoring 20-plus points this season. Bornemann added nine points and six boards while Jaycie Christopher came off the bench with seven points.

For the ninth time in its last 10 outings, the Black Bears won the rebounding battle. Maine registered 37 boards to UAlbany's 26 including 13 on the offensive end. The Black Bears finished the game 19-of-48 (39.6), 5-for-13 from three-point range, and hit seven of eight free throws in the win.

Maine came out on fire as it jumped out to a 20-2 advantage in opening quarter. The Black Bears, who held UAlbany to just a pair of points over the first 8:57 of the contest, jumped out to a 7-2 lead before posting a 13-0 run to extend the lead to 18. Back-to-back triples from Christopher and Sera Hodgson moved the lead to 14-2. Sarah Talon's running bucket in the lane completed the sprint for Maine. 

The Black Bears lead stood at 22-6 after the first quarter.

UAlbany began chipping away in the second. With Maine leading by 16 at the 3:50 mark of the second quarter, the Great Danes would end the run on an 8-0 run to enter the half trailing by eight, 33-25.

The Great Danes kept charging in the third, trimming the lead down to five with 9:44 left in the period.

Maine responded with a 7-2 run, running the lead back out to double-figures. Consecutive buckets from Smith started the run before Olivia Rockwood's triple answered a UAlbany bucket as Maine found itself up 40-30 with 6:55 left in the period.

Maine entered the final quarter holding onto a 43-39 advantage.

UAlbany cut the lead to one with 5:28 left in regulation. Neither team could score over the games next 3:39 before the Great Danes' Kayla Cooper registered a bucket to give UAlbany its first lead of the game, 47-46, with 1:49 on the clock.

Smith answered with a bucket to put Maine back up by one before Cooper answered with her game-high 22nd point of the night, putting UAlbany back on top by one with 36-seconds left.

A timeout advanced the ball for the Black Bears. Out of the timeout, Maine worked the ball down low to Bornemann who drove baseline for the reverse layup to regain the lead, 50-49, for Maine.

The Great Danes were unable to get a shot off as Maine locked up the league win by a 50-49 final. 

The Black Bears are back in action on Wednesday, Feb. 1 when they host Bryant at 7 p.m.

-UMaine-