Orono, Maine -- Anne Simon's 33 point effort and Adrianna Smith's 17th double-double of the season helped Maine to a 67-48 victory over New Hampshire in the Border Battle, presented by Buffalo Wild Wings, on Saturday afternoon.

The win marked Maine's fourth in a row and its eight-straight in the head-to-head series with the Wildcats.

Simon, who knocked down four triples with 19 points in the first half alone, finished the day 5-of-9 from downtown. Her five triples moved her into 7th on Maine's all-time three-pointers made list with 171. Smith posted her seventh double-double in her last eight outings as she finished with 10 points and a season-high 17 rebounds. Smith, who notched her 600th career rebound in the win, now stands just eight points shy of 1,000. Sarah Talon added a season-high 15 point effort to go along with two key blocks.

For the second consecutive game, Maine finished with 10 or more triples as it went 10-of-29 from downtown. Maine dominated the boards, winning the rebounding battle for the 19th time this season by a 43-35 margin. The defensive effort marked the ninth time this season in which Maine has held an opponent to 50 points or fewer.

Maine never trailed in the contest past the 7:35 mark of the first quarter.

Leading 10-9 early, Maine finished the opening quarter on a 13-3 run to create a double-digit lead early. A pair of Simon triples guided the strong run before Smith's bucket off a turnover gave the Black Bears a 23-13 edge after one.

The Wildcats cut the lead to a pair with 1:03 left in the second. However, another triple from Simon and one at the buzzer from Olivia Rockwood sent Maine into the break with a 37-29 advantage.

Maine's lead would stand at six early in the second half before another run, this time an 8-0 sprint, built the lead out to 15. Triples from Simon and Rockwood again keyed the run as Maine was able to build a 46-31 advantage with 5:05 left in the third.

The deficit would remain in double-figures through the rest of the quarter as Maine carried a 52-40 lead into the fourth.

The Wildcats continued to battle, chipping the lead down to 10 with 8:09 left in regulation.

Maine answered the UNH run with one of its own, taking a 64-46 lead following a 10-2 run.

The Black Bears closed things out down the stretch with the final score also marking the largest lead of the afternoon for Maine, 67-48.

Maine continues action at home on Thursday, Feb. 15 when it hosts Bryant at 6 p.m.

-UMaine-