Portland, Maine -- The University of Maine women's basketball team led #17 Indiana with under 5:30 left in regulation on Thursday evening. However, the Black Bears were unable to hold on, falling to the Hoosiers by a final of 67-59 in front of a sold out crowd of 5,983 at the Cross Insurance Arena.

Anne Simon scored 25 of her career-high, and game-high, 34 points in the first half while also adding 11 rebounds and five steals. Adrianna Smith added her fifth double-double of the season with 14 points and 13 rebounds.

Maine, which led for 24:36 of game action, finished the game 22-of-55 (40.0) from the floor with four triples and a 11-of-13 mark from the free throw line.

The Black Bears took their first lead of the game with 1:48 left in the first quarter. Trailing by three, Simon's first of three triples in the contest jump started a 7-0 sprint. Simon would jump the passing lane on the ensuing possession, swiping the ball and racing down court for a pair. Smith's strong layup in the paint pushed Maine's lead to 18-14 with 9:21 remaining in the half.

After Maine pushed its lead to seven on a deep jumper by Simon, Indiana responded to trim the lead to a pair.

The Black Bears answered with an 8-0 run to take their largest lead of the evening. Back-to-back buckets from Sarah Talon raced the lead to six before Simon again jumped the passing lane at the top of the key for a steal before sprinting down court for a bucket. In a mirror image of the play prior, Simon again forced a steal beyond the arc and cashed in for two at the opposite end. The bucket, Simon's 25th of the half, gave Maine a 37-27 edge.

Maine carried a 37-29 advantage into the break.

Indiana opened the second half with an 8-2 run to cut the lead to a pair midway through the third.

Maine held strong, answering the run with a triple from Simon, before carrying a 48-45 lead into the final quarter.

The Hoosiers were able to tie the game with 7:34 left in regulation. Simon again answered, this time with a driving left handed layup to regain the lead for Maine.

A 10-0 by Indiana followed as the Hoosiers grabbed their first lead 2:40 mark of the first quarter.

Maine again had an answer, this time with a triple off a turnover by Olivia Rockwood.

However, Maine was unable to cut the deficit fewer than five, dropping the contest by a final of 67-59.

Maine returns to action on Saturday when it travels to meet Fordham at 2 p.m.

-UMaine-