ORONO – Turnovers can be devastating for the offending team. They result in scoring chances for the opposition and an inability to build momentum.

The University of Maine women’s basketball team, which has averaged 23 turnovers this season, provided a glimpse Thursday night of how effective it can be when those mistakes are minimized.

The Black Bears threw the ball away 15 times in the first half against Northeastern, but took care of the basketball during a 19-5 second-half surge while racing to a 72-48 America East victory at Alfond Arena.

Maine improved to 5-6, tying Vermont’s America East record with its 31st consecutive league win while moving to 3-0 in conference play. Northeastern slipped to 3-8 and 1-2, respectively.

“We got in the flow, everything was clicking,” said Maine senior Stacey Porrini of the second half. “We were subbing in, everyone was getting a chance. Everyone was having fun out there and I think that’s the important thing.”

Coach Joanne Palombo-McCallie’s Bears committed 15 first-half turnovers and went into the locker room with a 29-20 lead. But Maine cut its miscues in half after intermission, enabling the hosts to better utilize the frontcourt height advantage provided by freshman Jamie Cassidy and Porrini, both of whom stand 6-foot-4.

“There are good turnovers when you’re trying to make a great pass that doesn’t quite make, but we’re trying to cut down on the turnovers that are not forced,” Palombo said. “When you don’t turn the ball over, you get all sorts of momentum and that was evident in the second half.”

Cassidy and Cindy Blodgett scored six points each during the first portion of Maine’s second-half run. Maine dominated the rebounding actioof Maine’s second-half run. Maine dominated the rebounding action while initiating an effective fast-break game, much to the delight of the 3,559 fans.

“It certainly just blew apart at that point: transition; defensively; hurting us in the post; the high-low dump,” said Northeastern coach Joy Malchodi. “Obviously, we’re a little undersized this year, but maybe they just wore us down.”

The Bears turned a four-point lead into a commanding 18-point bulge in a span of seven minutes. Maine’s spurt came in response to a 6-0 run by the Huskies, who got within 37-33 on Sue Bright’s runner with 15:10 left.

Cassidy got Maine rolling with a conventional three-point play and a 3-pointer in next 24 seconds, pushing the lead back to 10. Blodgett then sandwiched two free throws and a 17-footer around a 13-foot jumper by NU’s Carolyn Schultz. cut this graf if needed….

“I was very pleased with the leadership that was shown by Cindy and Stacey in particular, talking to their teammates and doing some little things,” Palombo said. “There definitely was a lift in the second half.”

After a 3-pointer by Northeastern’s Wanda Almengot, the Bears scored nine straight points. Porrini opened the flurry with a basket from underneath, then ended it with a conventional three-point play that gave Maine a 56-38 lead with 7:44 to play.

“We started hitting people in places that they can excel and we did that time and time again, and without turning the ball over,” Blodgett said. “We just kept going at ’em and at ’em.”

Blodgett spearheaded the Maine attack with 30 points and five assists while Cassidy and Porrini complemented each other splendidly. Each scored 15 points while combining for 27 rebounds.

Porrini, who had a team-high 14 rebounds, also blocked two shots to pass Rachel Bouchard on the Maine all-time list with 149.

“When we get up and down the court, obviously you see what can happen,” Porrini said. “Our guards have great perception of the floor and as long as we can get the ball out quick and one of us can get down there, it works really well for us.”

Tesha Tinsley paced the Huskies with 15 points, while Almengot contributed with 14 points and seven rebounds. Betsy Palecek added eight points and seven boards.

The Bears couldn’t build a big lead during a turnover-plagued first half. Blodgett and Cassidy combined for 23 of the Bears’ 29 points, but Maine bogged down often in the half-court and didn’t put together any sustained scoring runs.

Black Bear women 72, Huskies 48

Northeastern (3-8) Maine women (5-6)

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

Herzog 0 1 0 0 0 Bruyere 2 2 0 0 4

Tinsley 6 15 2 4 15 DeShong 0 0 0 1 0

Neil 0 7 0 0 0 McCormick 1 2 0 0 2

Chevrier 0 0 0 0 0 Danes 0 1 0 0 0

Schultz 1 3 0 0 2 Stubbs 0 1 0 0 0

Burroughs 0 1 0 0 0 Blodgett 11 21 6 6 30

DeStefano 1 4 0 0 2 Vachon 2 5 0 0 4

Palecek 4 12 0 0 8 Carver 1 5 0 0 2

Bright 3 10 0 0 7 Cassidy 6 14 2 3 15

Almengot 5 11 3 6 14 A. Clark 0 0 0 0 0

Porrini 7 12 1 1 15

Totals 20 64 5 10 48 Totals 30 63 9 11 72

Northeastern 20 48

Maine 29 72

3-pt. goals: Northeastern (3-14): Almengot 1-3, Bright 1-4, Tinsley 1-5, Neil 0-1, Schultz 0-1; Maine (3-15): Blodgett 2-6, Cassidy 1-3, Vachon 0-2, Porrini 0-2, Carver 0-2

Attendance: 3559 Preliminary: