ORONO, Maine – UMBC hit the road for its first America East road trip of the season, falling to Maine 58-43 on Thursday evening inside Memorial Gymnasium. The Retrievers fall to 0-2 in conference play while the Black Bears improve to 2-1 in the league.
Heidi Williams (16) and Jade Tillman (13) combined for 29 of the Retrievers 43 points on the night. Williams reached double figures for the seventh time during her freshman season, tying her career-high set back in the season-opener against Stevenson. The two-time America East Rookie of the Week, Williams added four steals, her third game this season with four or more. Tillman extended her streak to seven straight games of 12 or more points. Tiara Bellamy finished with six points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
The duo combined for 11 first-quarter points as UMBC led 15-13 after the opening 10 minutes. A turnaround jumper from Williams with 7:51 remaining in the first half put UMBC ahead 21-16, but a 6-0 run gave Maine its first lead of the contest with 5:26 on the clock. With 2:55 left in the second, Maisie Crowley found Williams for a layup to retake the lead for UMBC at 25-24, but Maine would jump back ahead 14 seconds later and never relinquish the lead.
Adrianna Smith paced Maine with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists. Sarah Talon and Asta Blauenfeldt each scored 13 for the Black Bears, who won their sixth straight at home against the Retrievers.
UMBC continues America East play on Saturday afternoon at New Hampshire. Tip is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
