NEWARK, Del. – The University of Maine women’s basketball team was held to 10-of-41 shooting (24 percent) and dropped a 55-40 nonconference decision to Delaware on Sunday.

Coach Cindy Blodgett’s club dipped to 2-5 with the loss while Delaware went to 4-3.

The Blue Hens raced out to a 6-1 lead in the game’s first two minutes, but Maine would score 10 of the game’s next 13 points to take an 11-9 lead.

That advantage would be short-lived, as Delaware embarked on a 12-0 run in building a 10-point advantage late in the half.

The Black Bears converted six straight free throws to pull within four points and trailed just 23-17 at the half.

Maine’s free-throw shooting kept it within striking distance, as the Black Bears connected on 20 of 27 attempts from the line, including an 8-for-10 showing from Katia Bratishko.

The teams traded baskets the first 10 minutes of the second half, with Delaware leading by as many as seven. The Bears cut the deficit to 34-30 with 8:28 left on a Samantha Baranowski layup, but once again the Blue Hens would respond, pushing the lead to 11 with a 9-2 run.

Maine would draw no closer than nine the rest of the way.

Brittany Boser was the only Black Bear in double figures with 10 points. Baranowski finished with nine and Bratishko eight. Tanna Ross chipped in with seven.

Ariene Jenkins led three Blue Hens in double figures with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Tesia Harris scored 11 despite shooting 4-for-23 from the field and Corinthia Benison added 10.

bdnsports@bangordailynews.net

BLUE HENS 55, BLACK BEARS 40

Maine (2-5) Delaware (4-3)

Player G AG F AF TP Player G AG AF TP

Wheeler 1 2 3 4 5 Parker 3 9 8

Baranwski 4 8 1 2 9 Jenkins 3 7 12

Baker 0 8 0 0 0 Kabongo 1 9 3

Ross 1 9 5 6 7 Benison 3 8 4 10

Tewksbury 0 1 1 2 1 Harris 4 23 11

Williams 0 1 0 0 0 Bailey 3 8 9

Boser 4 7 2 3 10 McLean 0 2 1

Rush 0 1 0 0 0 Riddick 0 0 0 0

Kilmurray 0 1 0 0 0 Thomas 0 2 1

Bratishko 0 3 8 10 8

Totals 10 41 20 27 40 Totals 17 68 20 27 55

Maine 17 40

Delaware 23 55

3-pt. goals – Maine (0-8): Ross 0-5, Baker 0-3; Delaware (1-7): Harris 1-4, Benison 0-1, McLean 0-2

Attendance: 876