COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Anne Simon completed her University of Maine career-high by scoring a game-high 25 points in the No. 15 seeded Black Bears' 80-57 loss at No. 2 seed Ohio State in the first round of the NCAA Tourament on Friday afternoon.

Maine wrapped up its season at 24-10 overall while making its 10th NCAA Tournament appearance.

Simon concluded the contest 11-of-21 from the floor for 25 points to go along with three rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Olivia Rockwood hit three triples for 15 points while Adrianna Smith added 11 points, six rebounds, and six points.

Simon ends her illustrious career with the Black Bears ranked fifth on Maine's all-time scoring list (1,982 points), 10th in all-time rebounding (721), and surpassed Coach Vachon for fifth in all-time steals at 280.

Maine, which shot above 60-percent in both the first (66.7) and third quarters (69.2), ended the contest 23-of-44 (52.3). The Black Bears hit 7-of-19 from downtown.

Ohio State forced Maine into 22 turnovers while posting a 24-10 advantage in points off turnovers.

In a first quarter which featured four lead changes and a pair of ties, Maine took its first lead of the game just 2:16 into the contest. After Ohio State jumped out to an early advantage, Rockwood's back-to-back triples gave Maine its first lead of the day, 6-4.

The Buckeyes responded to regain a five-point lead before Maine again answered, snatching the lead back just under three minutes later thanks to an 8-0 run.

Simon opened the sprint with a layup off a feed from Smith before Rockwood's third triple of the first quarter tied things at 11-11. Another triple, this one from Smith, put the Black Bears back on top, 14-11.

However, it would be the last time Maine would lead in the game.

Ohio State, which led by six after one quarter, outscored the Black Bears 21-8 in the second quarter. The Buckeyes used an 18-2 run to take a 38-18 advantage with 2:53 left in the first half.

Maine would trail by 19, 43-24, after the second quarter.

The lead would grow to 24 early in the third quarter before Maine battled back. The Black Bears used a 9-2 run, fueled by balanced scoring led by another Rockwood triple, to trim the deficit to 17 with 5:19 remaining in the third.

Ohio State raced back out to a 24 point lead but Maine again answered, this time with a 10-3 run to once again cut the Buckeye lead to 17.

However, it would be as close as Maine could get as the Black Bears fell to 1-10 all-time in NCAA Tournament play with an 80-57 decision at Ohio State.

-UMaine-