Des Monies, Ia. -- The University of Maine women's basketball team dropped its opening contest at the Vibrant Thanksgiving Classic, hosted by Drake, to Richmond by a final of 77-43 on Friday evening.

Adrianna Smith, who has now scored in double-digits in 25 of her last 26 outings, led the Black Bears with 14 points and eight rebounds. Jaycie Christopher chipped in six points and four boards off the bench while Anne Simon was held to single digits for the first time this season as the guard was held to five points with seven rebounds.

Maine finished the night 16-of-61 from the floor, including a 5-for-25 night from three-point range, and lost the rebounding battle for the first time this season as the Spiders held the edge on the boards, 42-33.

The Black Bears fell behind by eight early as Richmond snatched a 15-7 edge with 3:06 left in the first quarter. A three-pointer by Christopher stopped the Richmond edge and jump started a 9-0 sprint by the Black Bears. Simon followed Christopher's three with one of her own by Smith's triple put Maine on top, 16-15, late in the first.

The teams traded the lead early in the second as Caroline Bornemann's three gave Maine a two point edge. Richmond answered with a triple before Smith's jumper regained the lead, 21-20, for Maine.

However, it would be the last time Maine would lead in the contest.

Richmond put together a 15-5 run to take its first double-digit lead of the night, 36-25, with 2:08 left in the half.

The Spiders' lead would stand at 38-30 entering the break.

The Black Bears would go on to be outscored 39-13, including a 15-6 third quarter, in the second half and ultimately fall to Richmond, 77-43.

Maine returns to action on day two of the Vibrant Thanksgiving Classic when it meets Louisiana Tech at 12:30 p.m. ET.

-UMaine-