Bangor, Maine -- Following a power outage which forced the game to move to Bangor's Cross Insurance Center, the University of Maine's women's basketball team defeated Binghamton 57-51 to remain perfect at home in league play.

The win moves Maine to 20-9 overall and 13-2 in America East play as the Black Bears are locked in a tie atop the America East standings with UAlbany. Maine will host the Great Danes on Saturday at 1 p.m. to decide the America East regular season champion. Limited tickets remain for Saturday's game and can be purchased at 207.581.BEAR or at the Alfond Arena box office.

Maine's win total marks the second time in the past three seasons in which it has reached the 20-win plateau.

Anne Simon posted her third consecutive double-double as she led all scorers with 26 points to go along with 10 rebounds. Adrianna Smith added eight points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists while Sarah Talon chipped in nine and Olivia Rockwood eight.

Maine dominated the boards, collecting 46 rebounds to Binghamton's 28 while hitting 7-of-16 triples in the win.

Following a slow first quarter which ended with the Bearcats on top, 8-6, Maine's offense began to click in the second.

A 9-0 run by the Black Bears, fueled by five points from Simon and four from Talon, gave Maine its first lead of the contest. Simon's layup off a turnover tied the game before she found Talon off an inbounds play for a pair, putting Maine on top 12-10. A steal from Caroline Bornemann led to a triple by Simon as Maine's lead grew to 15-10 with 6:23 left in the half.

Binghamton fought back to tie the game with 3:50 remaining in the second quarter before the Black Bears answered with a 7-0 sprint. Two free throws from Smith started the run before another triple from Simon extended the lead back out to five. Another pair of Smith free throws gave Maine its largest lead of the opening half, 24-17.

Maine would lead by five at the break.

The Black Bears opened the second half with an 8-0 run to build a comfortable margin on the Bearcats. Two more free throws from Smith put Maine up eight before Jaycie Christopher's triple from the top of the key pushed the advantage out to 13.

Binghamton answered with an 11-0 run to cut the lead to a pair.

Simon ended the scoreless draught with a three to jump start Maine's 10-2 sprint to end the quarter. Maine's lead would stand at 42-32 entering the fourth.

Two bucks from Simon started the fourth, moving the run to 14-2 and Maine's lead to 46-32; its largest of the night.

Binghamton closed the gap to five late but Maine held on, taking the Thursday night contest by a final of 57-51.

Maine and UAlbany will meet to decide the America East regular season champion on Saturday, March 2 at 1 p.m. Limited tickets remain for the showdown and can be purchased by calling 207.581.BEAR. A selection of tickets will be released to the public on game day and must be purchased in the main lobby of Memorial Gymnasium.

-UMaine-