BALTIMORE, Md. -- Adrianna Smith registered 23 of her game-high 25 points in the second half to help guide the Black Bears (14-11, 9-3) to their fourth-straight win as they held on for a 56-55 victory at UMBC (11-12, 6-5) on Thursday evening.

Smith added 13 rebounds to her game-high scoring effort to notch her 13th double-double of the season. With the 25 point total, Smith moved past Emily Ellis and into eighth on Maine's all-time scoring list with 1,704 points. 

Asta Blauenfeldt added nine points with a trio of triples while Lala Woods chipped in a balanced effort with six points, five rebounds, and three steals.

For the 11th time in its last 12 conference games, the Black Bears won the turnover battle as the visitors finished the game 19-of-49 from the floor (38.8) with seven triples. 

UMBC jumped out to an early 4-0 edge before Maine responded with an 11-0 run keyed by two triples from Blauenfeldt and one from Olivia Alvarez. The early four point lead would be the last and only time the Retrievers would have the advantage in the contest.

The hosts tightened the deficit to one early in the second before eventually tying the game with 5:14 left in the opening half.

However, Maine would again respond. Another triple from Blauenfeldt jump started an 8-0 run as Woods' three gave the Black Bears their largest lead of the half, 23-15.

The Black Bears entered the half leading by five, 25-20.

Smith, with just two points in the first half, came alive in the third quarter. 

UMBC cut the lead back down to four before Smith scored the next eight points for Maine to give the Black Bears their first double-digit lead of the evening.

Smith's eight point run grew to a 12-straight point sprint as the Black Bears worked their way out to a 13 point lead with 2:39 left in the third.

Maine's lead would stand at 13 early in the fourth quarter before UMBC began chipping away. 

A 13-2 run by the Retrievers trimmed their deficit to just two with 2:51 left in regulation. 

Smith's driving layup pushed the lead back out to four. After a pair of missed free throws from Maine, UMBC drove down the court and drew a foul. Following two free throws, the Retrievers again found themselves trailing by just two.

However, a pair of clutch free throws from Talon with two seconds to play stretched the lead back to four. The Retrievers were able to hit a three at the buzzer but it was too little, too late as Maine captured its ninth conference win, 56-55.

The Black Bears return to action on Saturday when they travel to meet NJIT at noon.

-UMaine-