STONY BROOK, N.Y. – Turnovers were the story again Thursday night for the University of Maine women’s basketball team.

The Black Bears turned the ball over 30 times and Division I independent Stony Brook scored 33 points off those miscues while posting a 68-57 victory at the Indoor Sports Complex.

Freshman forward Sherry Jordan, the 15th-ranked scorer in the country at 20.9 points per game, was held scoreless in the first half. However, she connected for 15 second-half points and finished with a game-high 12 rebounds and six steals to help the Seawolves, coached by former UMaine coach Trish Roberts, hold off the Bears.

Coach Sharon Versyp’s UMaine squad suffered its fourth straight loss, dropping to 4-10. The Bears’ road record slumped to 0-7 heading into Sunday’s noon America East contest at New Hampshire.

Freshman Heather Ernest of Temple led the way for UMaine with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Senior Kizzy Lopez provided 12 points and five rebounds, frosh Julie Veilleux of Augusta scored 11 points and grabbed nine boards, and freshman Melissa Heon contributed 10 points.

The Bears, who are averaging 24 turnovers per game, had each player commit at least two in the contest. UMaine shot 39 percent from the field and outrebounded Stony Brook 42-30.

Stony Brook’s Jessica Burch established a school record in the contest, coming up with 10 steals among UMaine’s miscues. She also scored 17 points, as did teammate Jill George. Maggie Triggs added 11 points.

The Seawolves registered 21 steals in the contest and recorded 18 assists.

UMaine trailed 29-22 at halftime after committing 16 first-half turnovers which the hosts converted into 17 points. However, the Bears opened the second half with a 10-0 scoring run.

Ernest got things started with a layup, then Heon drilled a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to two. Heon scored a layup, then put UMaine ahead 30-29 a minute later with a free throw.

Veilleux’s jumper briefly pushed the lead to three points with 17:22 left, but Jordan broke a three-minute scoring drought with her first basket of the game. George’s jumper at the 16:07 mark put the hosts up for good.

UMaine stayed within striking distance, as a conventional three-point play by Veilleux moved the Bears within three at 51-48 with 3:01 remaining.

But Jordan countered with a conventional three-point play and Burch scored a layup off her own steal to give Stony Brook a 56-48 advantage with 2:26 left. The Seawolves eventually pushed the lead to 12.

Stony Brook set the tone in the first half, netting 10 fast-break points while building an 18-8 advantage on points in the paint.

The hosts pulled out to a 17-3 advantage during the first eight minutes, but the Bears countered with a 16-5 scoring run that left them within 22-19 on two Lopez free throws at the five-minute mark.

Ernest had seven points for the Bears, who shot 33 percent from the field. The Seawolves shot 40 percent. UMaine was 10 of 14 from the foul line, while Stony Brook missed three of four tries.

The Bears successfully defended Jordan, who was held scoreless.

Seawolves 68, Black Bears 57

Stony Brook (10-6) Maine (4-10)

Player G AG F AF TP Player G AG F AF TP

Jordan 5 15 4 5 15 Ernest 4 7 7 15

Cofield 1 1 1 2 3 Lopez 3 15 5 12

George 6 8 5 6 17 James 1 2 0 2

Shipley 1 5 0 2 3 Heon 4 8 1 10

Burch 7 15 3 5 17 Guerrette 1 3 3

LoParrino 0 2 0 0 0 Moldre 1 3 2

Triggs 5 11 0 0 11 Stone 0 0 0 0

Cox 1 2 0 1 2 Veilleux 5 10 11

Geraghty 1 3 2

Totals 26 59 13 21 68 Totals 20 51 15 21 57

Maine 22 57

Stony Brook 29 68

3-pt. goals: Maine (2-11): Ernest 0-1, Lopez 1-4, Heon 1-2, Guerrette 0-2, Veilleux 0-1, Geraghty 0-1; Stony Brook (3-13): Jordan 1-3, Shipley 1-2, Burch 0-2, LoParrino 0-2, Triggs 1-4