LOWELL, Mass. -- The University of Maine women's basketball team began America East play with a 54-39 victory at UMass Lowell on Thursday evening.

Maine, which starts conference play 1-0 for the eighth consecutive year, moved to 23-2 all-time against the River Hawks as the Black Bears stretched their win streak over UMass Lowell to seven.

Asta Blauenfeldt led all scorers with 16 points on 4-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc to post her fifth double-digit scoring effort in her last six outings. Caroline Bornemann added 12 points and nine rebounds, including the 600th of her career, while Olivia Rockwood hit 5-of-7 from the floor to finish with 12 points, six rebounds, and four steals.

Maine concluded the evening 20-of-43 (46.5) from the floor with nine triples while outrebounding the River Hawks,, 32-24.

The Black Bears were slow to get their offense started, trailing 10-8 after one quarter.

However, Maine turned it on in the second period as it hit 4-of-8 from three-point range and finished the quarter 7-of-13 while outscoring the River Hawks 18-10 over the 10 minute stint.

The Black Bears opener the second quarter with a 12-2 on on two triples each from Blauenfeldt and Rockwood. Blauenfeldt's triple with 6:54 left in the half extended Maine's lead out to eight.

Another second period sprint, this one a 6-0 stretch, gave Maine its largest lead of the half at 26-14 on a second chance layup from Caroline Dotsey.

UMass Lowell was able to close to within six at the break, 26-20.

Bornemann's triple to start the second half jump started a quick, 5-0 run for Maine as Rockwood's fast break bucket off a turnover once again moved the lead to double-digits, 31-20.

The River Hawks answered, putting together a 7-0 run of their own to close the gap to four with 1:38 left in the third.

Jaycie Christopher and Blauenfeldt had the answers for Maine as the duo knocked down consecutive triples to put Maine back on top by 10.

UMass Lowell once again closed to within six but Maine would end the game on a 6-0 run to capture the America East victory by a final of 54-39.

The Black Bears return to action when they host Bryant on Saturday, Jan. 4 at 1 p.m. in the annual Bananas Cub Club game at Skip Chappelle Court.

-UMaine-