NEWARK, N.J. -- Caroline Bornemann posted 22 points in Maine's 61-56 loss at NJIT on Thursday evening in a game which featured 11 ties and 10 lead changes.

Bornemann, who finished the game 10-of-22 from the floor, moved into 23rd on Maine's all-time scoring list with her 22 point showing. Caroline Dotsey added 12 points, with three triples, and has now posted double-digits in five of her last six outings. Sera Hodgson chipped in nine points with a trio of threes.

Maine, which opened the game 7-of-13 from the floor in the first quarter, ended the contest 23-of-55 (41.8) with seven triples.

The Black Bears, who never led by more than two, took their first lead of the night following a triple by Hodgson and a layup through a pair of defenders from Bornemann with 6:55 left in the first.

The teams would trade the lead five more times in the opening quarter, with NJIT carrying an 18-16 lead into the second.

Neither team was able to secure separation over the next 10 minutes of action as NJIT entered the half with a 28-25 advantage.

The Highlanders grew their lead to five with four minutes left in the third.

Maine responded, piecing together an 8-2 run with all points coming from Dotsey, to regain the lead. Dotsey's triple began the sprint. After a bucket from NJIT, Dotsey dialed up another three to draw Maine within one before her layup gave the Black Bears a 38-37 edge with 1:40 on the clock.

NJIT would end the quarter on a 6-2 run and lead, 43-40, entering the fourth.

The Highlanders opened the fourth with an 8-3 run to take their largest lead of the night, 51-43, with 6:34 left in regulation.

Maine continued to fight as five consecutive points from Paula Gallego brought Maine back within three.

However, the Black Bears were unable to narrow the gap by more than three the rest of the way as NJIT escaped with the victory by a final of 61-56.

Maine returns to action when it travels to take on UMBC on Saturday at 2 p.m.

-UMaine-