ORONO, Maine -- The University of Maine women's basketball (9-10, 4-2 America East) team earned its 17th consecutive home win over a conference opponent with a 61-47 decision with UMBC (9-10, 4-2) on Saturday afternoon.

Caroline Dotsey, who has posted double-digit scoring efforts in nine of her last 13 outings, led the Black Bears with 17 points on 7-of-16 shooting to go along with six rebounds. Olivia Rockwood and Paula Gallego joined Dotsey in double-figures with 14 points apiece as Gallego nearly tabbed a double-double with nine boards. Caroline Bornemann aided the balanced attack with eight points and 11 rebounds while Asta Blauenfeldt chipped in eight points and a career-high nine boards.

Led by Bornemann on the glass, the Black Bears dominated the rebounding with a 40-22 margin to secure the board battle for the third consecutive game. Defensively, Maine limited UMBC to single digit scoring totals in both the first and third periods while forcing 15 turnovers .

Overall, Maine posted a 26-for-60 mark (43.3) from the floor with eight triples.

The Black Bears secured the lead 2:46 into the first quarter and would never trail again.

Leading by a pair midway through the first, Dotsey's triple kick started a 12-0 as Maine held UMBC scoreless over the final 5:01 of the opening quarter. Another triple from Dotsey, this one with just one second left in the period, extended Maine's lead to 21-7 after one.

The lead grew to 16, Maine's largest of the opening half, on a three from Rockwood with 8:02 on the clock.

UMBC answered Maine's run with one of its own, putting together a 15-5 sprint to draw within six with 2:22 left in the half.

Maine entered the break with a 33-27 edge.

The Black Bears responded well out of the half, outscoring UMBC 18-6 in the third quarter.

An 11-0 run, aided on triples from Gallego and two from Rockwood, began things for Maine in the third. Rockwood's three with 4:40 left in the third extended the lead out to 17.

Maine's advantage extended to 21, its largest of the afternoon, on Bornemann's bucket off a turnover with less than a minute remaining in the third.

The advantage would not fall below 13 the rest of the way as Maine cruised to its fourth league win by a final of 61-47.

The Black Bears return to action on Thursday, Jan. 23 when it hosts UMass Lowell at 6 p.m.

-UMaine-