PHILADELPHIA – Drexel University shot a sizzling 63 percent during a 53-point second half Sunday on its way to an 87-73 America East women’s basketball victory over Maine at the Physical Education Athletic Center.

The Dragons outrebounded the Black Bears 39-27 and posted a 20-8 advantage from the foul line while turning a seven-point halftime deficit into a victory.

UMaine had its winning streak stopped at five games and dropped to 11-13 overall, 8-7 in America East play. Drexel improved to 16-9 and 11-5, respectively.

Coach Sharon Versyp’s Bears shot 62 percent (18-for-29) from the floor while building a 41-34 halftime lead. However, UMaine’s second-half foul trouble and its lack of depth prevented it from playing good enough defense to slow down the league’s top-scoring team after intermission.

“We only got one shot at the basket, they got to the foul line 26 times [attempts] and we only got there 11, we were in foul trouble,” Versyp said. “We couldn’t touch anybody in the post. Anna only played 15 minutes and she fouled out.”

The Bears fouled out three players and were whistled for 24 fouls to 17 for Drexel, which is 9-1 this season on its home court. The Dragons scored 26 points off 21 UMaine turnovers, although the Bears converted 17 Drexel miscues into 20 points.

The hosts also posted a 20-8 advantage in second-half points while grabbing a 12-6 advantage in offensive rebounds in the game.

“You’ve got to play better and you’ve got to perform [on the opponent’s court],” Versyp said. “We weren’t executing, doing some of the things we usually do, and we weren’t shooting well.”

Freshman guard Melissa Heon poured in a career-high 23 points on 10-for-14 shooting to lead the way for UMaine, which shot only 38 percent in the second half.

“I incorporated a couple new plays for her to take it to the rack,” Versyp said. “She was able to use her quickness and she didn’t force anything.”

Kizzy Lopez contributed 19 points and three steals while Heather Ernest of Temple chipped in with 11 points and six rebounds. Tracy Guerrette of St. Agatha added eight points and seven assists, but committed seven turnovers.

“They played a 1-2-2 3/4-court press and we didn’t handle it very well,” Versyp said.

Michelle Maslowski, the leading scorer in America East, led the Dragons with 22 points and 10 rebounds. However, freshman forward Katrina Martin burned the Bears for 21 points and 19 rebounds. Bridget Scanlan and Steph Frysinger added 17 and 16 points, respectively.

“They want to push the tempo and make you hurry up,” Versyp said. “They pushed it.”

Drexel established its offensive flow in the second half and did so with balance. Scanlan buried 3-pointers 30 seconds apart to give the Dragons a 51-47 lead with 13:31 left.

The Bears did battle back in front briefly, but another Scanlan 3-pointer at the 10:15 mark gave Drexel the lead for good.

UMaine later crept within four points as Ellen Geraghty’s driving layup and Heon’s eight-foot runner made it 74-70 with 2:32 remaining. However, Drexel scored the last 13 points to put the game out of reach.

Dragons 87, Black Bears 73

Maine (11-3) Drexel (16-9)

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

Lopez 8 13 3 3 19 Martin 9 13 3 21

James 0 1 0 0 0 Welborn 3 6 1 7

Ernest 4 7 3 4 11 Maslowksi 7 20 10 22

Heon 10 14 1 3 23 Scanlan 6 10 2 17

Guerrette 3 11 0 0 8 Frysinger 5 16

Geraghty 3 6 0 0 7 McGinty 1 3 2

Veilleux 2 9 1 1 5 Wilkins 1 1 2

Moldre 0 0 0 0 0 Mazzie 0 0 0 0

McIntyre 0 0 0

Totals 30 61 8 11 73 Totals 32 61 20 26 87

Maine 41 73

Drexel 34 87

3-pt. goals ? Maine (5-21): Lopez 0-2, Ernest 0-1, Heon 2-4, Guerrette 2-7, Geraghty 1-3, Veilleux 0-4; Drexel (3-10): Welborn 0-3, Maslowski 0-1, Scanlan 3-6

Attendance: 328