NEW BRITIAN, Conn. – The University of Maine women ended a road drought going back almost a year as they defeated Central Connecticut State 79-52 in basketball at Detrick Gym here Thursday night.

It was the first win on the road for first-year coach Joanne Palombo and the first for a Black Bear women’s hoop team since Feb. 15 of last season. Maine is now 4-13 overall.

The Bears trailed the Blue Devils early in the game, but finally went on top for good 17-15 midway through the first half on Chrissy Strong’s inside basket.

The Devils cut it to 25-23, but the Bears put together a 17-7 run and led at intermission 42-30.

As the second half opened, UMaine quickly surged to a 61-34 advantage and coasted to the non-league victory.

Heather Briggs led the Black Bears in scoring with 18 points. Stacia Rustad scored 11, while Stephanie Guidi and Strong chipped in 10 each.

UM shot 31 of 60 from the floor, including six for nine in 3-pointers. Maine also made 11 of 17 at the foul line while the hosts only went to the line once, missing that shot.

For 4-15 Central Connecticut, Tula Kofitsas gained game scoring honors with 21.

Maine will be home to New Hampshire Sunday in a 2 p.m. game at Alfond Arena.

Black Bears 79, Blue Devils 52

Maine women Central Connecticut

Name AG G AF F TP Name AG G AF F TP

Strong 7 4 1 1 10 Bubniak 10 3 0 0 9

Towle 2 1 0 0 3 Smith 1 0 0 0 0

Grealy 3 2 0 0 4 Kofitsas 20 10 1 0 2 Gallant 5 3 1 0 6 Ewing 5 2 0 0 4

Briggs 12 7 3 1 18 Van Cott 6 2 0 0 4

Rustad 9 4 4 3 11 Claffey 2 1 0 0 2

Dionne 6 2 4 3 8 Herrman 8 4 0 0 9

Sullivan 4 2 0 0 4 Ervin 1 0 0 0 0

Guidi 7 4 2 2 10 Rodriguez 6 1 0 0 3

Buetow 5 2 2 1 5

Totals 60 31 17 11 79 Totals 59 23 1 0 52

Maine 42 79

Cent. Connecticut 30 52

3-pt. goals: Maine (6-9): Briggs 3-4, Dionne 1-1, Strong 1-1, Towle 1-1, Rustad 0-2; Cent.Conn. (6-19): Bubniak 3-5, Kofitsas 1-4, Herrman 1-4, Rodriguez 0-2