Orono, Maine -- Anne Simon matched her career-high with 34 points, including a new career-best eight three pointers made, in Maine's 78-71 loss to James Madison on Sunday afternoon.

Simon, who extended her double-digit scoring streak to five in a row and now has 27 or more points in three of her last five outings, finished the afternoon 11-of-27 from the floor. The graduate student guard his 8-of-18 from long range while adding seven rebounds, four assists, and a pair of steals. Simon continued to climb the all-time ranks at Maine as she moved into seventh on Maine's all-time steals list (224) and ninth on the all-time three-point field goals made list (152).

Adrianna Smith added 19 points, nine rebounds, and five assists as she ran her double-digit scoring streak to eight in a row, while Jaycie Christopher contributed 11 points in 32 minutes off the bench.

As a unit, the Black Bears posted a season-high 13 triples and set a new school record with 43 attempts from beyond the arc. Maine also set a season-low in turnovers as it gave it away just five times.

The Black Bears led by as many as 12 in the first half but the Dukes used a strong third quarter to trim the deficit and ultimately take the lead for good.

Maine's first half lead came after the Black Bears knocked down 10 triples in the opening half and limited themselves to just three turnovers in the first 20 minutes of action.
 
After falling behind by eight midway through the first quarter, the Black Bears called a quick timeout to gather themselves. The break worked, as Maine was able to put together a 12-0 run out of the timeout with four threes.
 
Simon hit her first of three triples in the sprint to cut the deficit to five before Jaycie Christopher joined the three-point party with a long distance hit off an Anna Kahelin steal. Back-to-back triples from Simon followed, extending Maine's lead out to four late in the first quarter.
 
Maine's lead would be five, 21-16, after one.
 
The Dukes chipped way, cutting the lead down to a pair with 7:07 left in the half.
 
Maine had the answer, this time with a 9-0 run. Bornemann began things with her first three before Smith joined in with her first triple on the day, coming off a Simon steal. Simon's fifth three of the half ended the run to put Maine up by 11.
 
The Black Bears built their largest lead of the half, 41-29, on Christopher's three with 1:41 to play.
 
Maine entered the half with a 41-33 advantage.
 
James Madison outscored the Black Bears 29-16 in the third quarter to take a 62-57 edge into the fourth.

Simon's eighth and final three of the afternoon opened the scoring in the fourth to trim the James Madison lead to a pair. However, it would be as close as Maine could get the rest of the way.

The Dukes ran the lead out to double-digits following a 12-4 run and held on in the end to hand Maine its first loss in Orono on the season, 78-71.

Maine returns to action on Wednesday, Dec. 20 when it opens the Tulane Holiday Tournament against Duquesne at approximately 3:30 p.m. The game will not be video streamed but fans can tune into the radio broadcast on 92.9 FM or at GoBlackBears.com.

-UMaine-