ORONO, Maine -- The University of Maine women's basketball team erased a 10-point second half deficit to earn a 64-58 victory in the America East semifinals over Binghamton on Monday evening.

With the win, Maine advances to make its 22nd overall appearance in the conference title game where it will host No. 3 Vermont on Friday, March 15 at 5 p.m. live on ESPNU. Tickets for the America East Championship game are on sale now and can be purchased online at GoBlackBears.com/tickets, by phone at 207.581.BEAR, or in-person at the Maine Athletics box office located at Alfond Arena.

Maine, which trailed by 10 points with 4:32 left in the third quarter, stormed back to outscore Binghamton 24-13 in the final stanza to earn the victory. With the win, Maine improved to 23-4 in semifinal play and 4-0 against the Bearcats in the postseason.

Adrianna Smith led the way with a game-high 26 points to go along with seven rebounds, eight assists, and three steals. Smith was aided by Anne Simon who added 25 points, eight boards, and four steals. Olivia Rockwood finished the contest 4-of-9 from the floor with 10 points.

Maine's defense forced 21 Binghamton turnovers as the Black Bears were able to turn the mishaps into a 31-11 advantage in points off turnovers while using its 16 offensive rebounds to earn 12 second chance points to Binghamton's two.

In a game which featured seven lead changes and five ties, neither team was able to lead by four over the opening 20 minutes of action.

The Bearcats jumped out to an early four point edge before Maine answered with a 15-7 run to flip the script, taking a four point lead of its own late in the first quarter on a driving layup off a turnover from Smith.

Maine led by a pair with 6:03 left in the half but was unable to score for the remainder of the second quarter. The Bearcats used a 6-0 run to close the half, taking a 23-19 edge into the break.

The Black Bears closed the gap to one early in the third but Binghamton answered with an 11-2 run to take its largest lead of the night, 39-29, with 4:32 left in the third.

Maine began its comeback with five-straight points from Simon. The guard started the sprint with a deep jumper before knocking down a triple off an offensive rebound from Smith.

Maine would enter the fourth trailing by five, 45-40.

Binghamton rebuilt an eight point lead on a triple from Jadyn Weltz with 7:33 left in regulation.

Olivia Rockwood answered the Weltz triple with one of her own, jump starting a 12-0 run for the Black Bears.

Rockwood's triple was followed by a layup, off a Rockwood steal, by Smith. Simon tied the game with a three before Smith, again working off a turnover, gave Maine the lead with 5:29 to play. Another bucket from Smith, this time off a Simon steal, put Maine on top, 55-51, with under four minutes remaining.

Binghamton was able to close within a pair, twice, but never able to get over the hump as Maine closed out its semifinal victory, 64-58.

For the eighth time in conference history, Maine will meet Vermont with the America East Championship on the line. For tickets to Friday's championship game, please visit GoBlackBears.com.tickets.

-UMaine-