SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- Asta Blauenfeldt guided all scorers with a game-high 20 points as the University of Maine women's basketball team dropped a 68-57 decision in its regular season finale at Bryant on Saturday afternoon. The loss drops Maine to 14-15 overall and 9-7 in America East play.

Maine must await the conclusion of the NJIT at UAlbany game, tipping off on Saturday evening at 7 p.m., to find out its postseason seeding and opponent.

Blauenfeldt shot 7-of-14 on the day, with four triples, to finish with 20 points to go along with four rebounds and three assists. Caroline Bornemann and Caroline Dotsey each added 10 points for the Black Bears who finished the afternoon 22-of-62 from the floor, 10-of-31 from three-point range.

Bryant, led by Nia Scott's 18 points and eight rebounds, posted a 59.5-percent mark (25-of-42) from the field while hitting 16-of-20 from the free throw line in the victory.

After fall behind by 10 late in the first quarter, Maine clawed its way back to within five as Dotsey ended the first quarter with a driving layup before Blauenfeldt opened the second quarter with a triple.

Bryant took its largest lead of the first half, 37-24, before Maine was able to cut the deficit to eight at the half. Paula Gallego's running hook shot began the short run before a Blauenfeldt steal and coast-to-coast layup at the buzzer sent the Black Bears into the break trailing, 39-31.

The Bulldogs increased their lead to 12 midway through the third quarter before Blauenfeldt ended the run with a triple to give her 14 points.

Bryant answered, this time with a 10-3 run, to take its largest lead of the afternoon, 56-40, with just over a minute left in the third.

Maine continued to fight as Gallego's layup off an Olivia Rockwood steal started a 9-1 run. After a free throw from Bryant, Bornemann's straight on triple came before a old fashioned three-point play from Gallego. Another triple by Bornemann cut the lead all the way down to six with 6:22 left in regulation.

However, Bryant responded with a 4-0 run to stretch its lead back out to double-digits.

Maine was unable to close the gap below eight the rest of the way as the Bulldogs snapped a nine-game losing streak to Maine with a 68-57 decision.

-UMaine-