ORONO, Maine -- The University of Maine women's basketball team (12-10, 7-2) extended its win streak to five in a row, while snapping Vermont's (12-11, 7-2) seven game win streak, with a 45-39 decision at Skip Chappelle Court on Saturday afternoon. The win was also Maine's fourth-straight against the Catamounts.

The Black Bears have now won 19 consecutive games at home against America East competition.

Maine, which limited the Catamounts to just three points in the fourth quarter, held Vermont to just 16-of-44 (36.4) from the floor including 2-of-10 from three-point range.

The Black Bears, known for their outside game, made the offensive adjustments needed as they outscored the Catamounts 28-16 in the paint. Sarah Talon led Maine with 11 points off the bench while Asta Blauenfeldt added 11 of her own. Caroline Bornemann, who drew a big charge with under a minute remaining in regulation, added six points and 12 rebounds while Caroline Dotsey posted nine points off the pine. Paula Gallego chipped in seven points and nine boards.

Maine, which finished 2-of-10 from three-point range, hit 17-of-49 (34.7) overall in a game which featured seven lead changes and five ties.

After falling behind 5-0 out of the gate, Maine concluded the first quarter with an 11-2 run. Talon's triple started the stretch for the Black Bears before her driving layup with 2:57 on the clock tied the game at 9-9. Four consecutive points from Dotsey built Maine's lead to four, 13-9, at the end of the opening quarter.

Vermont fought back to take a 17-16 lead midway through the second.

Maine responded, this time with a 7-0 run, to stretch its lead out to six. Off an offensive rebound, Gallego fed a streaking Dotsey for a pair to start the sprint. Buckets from Bornemann and Talon followed before Dotsey's free throw pushed Maine's lead to 23-17.

Vermont's 5-0 run cut the lead to one before Gallego's triple with just two seconds left in the half sent Maine to the locker room with a 26-22 cushion.

Working off Gallego's first half triple, Maine scored the first four points of the second half to take its largest lead of the ballgame, 30-22.

A 12-3 run by the Catamounts put the visitors back on top, 34-33, with 1:44 left in the third quarter.

The teams would trade the lead three more times in the quarter as Maine carried a 37-36 edge into the fourth.

Maine, which held Vermont scoreless over the opening 4:55 of the final quarter, built its lead out to seven on Blauenfeldt's steal and coast-to-coast layup with 6:02 remaining.

Vermont cut the lead to four with 3:42 left in the game but would not score the rest of the way as Maine improved to 7-2 in America East play with the 45-39 victory.

The Black Bears return to action on Feb. 6 when they travel to meet NJIT at 6 p.m.

-UMaine-