Burlington, Vt. -- Adrianna Smith posted her 13th double-double of the season with a game-high 29 points and 11 rebounds in Maine's 68-60 loss at Vermont on Wednesday evening.

The loss slips Maine to 12-11 on the season, 8-3 in America East play while Vermont, who scored its ninth consecutive victory, improves to 17-6 and 9-2 in league action.

Maine, which trailed by as many as 17 in the game, tied the game in the second half but was unable to take the lead in the contest.

Smith's 29 points marked her 18th double-figure scoring performance of the season and her 14th consecutive game in double-digits. Paula Gallego matched a career-high with 13 points with a career-high matching three triples and career-highs in blocks (3) and steals (3).

 The Black Bears went 21-of-57 from the floor, 4-of-14 from three-point range, and 14-of-16 from the free throw line.

Maine struggled in the first quarter, shooting just 3-for-15 in the period, while the Catamounts raced out to a 19-7 lead after one.

The Catamounts kept charging in the second, extending their lead to a game-high 17 with 2:44 left in the first half.

The Black Bears settled in and began chipping away, closing the half on a 10-0 run. Smith began the run with four straight points before Gallego's triple cut the lead to 10. Smith ended the half with three unanswered points as Maine found itself down by seven, 31-24, at the break.

Vermont opened the half with a bucket, stretching the lead out to nine, before Maine answered with a 7-1 run. Gallego's bucket off a turnover trimmed the deficit to six before Olivia Rockwood's three brought Maine back within three.

The Catamounts extended the lead back out to double-digits, 46-35, and would lead by eight entering the final quarter.

Vermont's lead stood at six with 8:20 left in the fourth quarter before the Black Bears pieced together a 6-0 run to knot the score. Four points from Caroline Bornemann started the sprint before Sera Hodgson tied the game at 48-48 on a pair of free throws. 

After Maine fell behind again, the Black Bears were able to fight back and tie things up for a second time. However, the visitors never were able to take the lead, ultimately falling to Vermont by a final of 68-60.

Maine returns home on Saturday when it hosts NJIT at Memorial Gymnasium. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.

-UMaine-