WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Danielle Hood scored eight of her game-high 19 points during a 12-2 scoring run to open the second half Saturday afternoon, sparking the University of Hartford to a 65-41 America East women’s basketball victory over Maine at Chase Family Arena.

The Hawks moved a step closer to clinching the top spot for the America East tournament, winning for the 16th time in the last 17 games to improve to 22-3 overall, 14-1 in league play.

Coach Ann McInerney’s Black Bears (8-17, 4-10 AE) return home for games Wednesday and Saturday in the hope of avoiding going into the tournament as the No. 8 seed and having to compete in the play-in game.

The Hawks excelled on defense, limiting UMaine leading scorers Bracey Barker (six rebounds) and Ashley Underwood to seven and four points, respectively. The Bears shot only 27 percent from the floor and failed to put a player in double figures.

UMaine posted only four assists in the contest.

Abby Schrader led UMaine with nine points and four rebounds, while Margaret Elderton added eight points. Lindsey Hugstad Vaa grabbed six rebounds.

Erika Messam complemented Hood’s effort with 14 points. Hartford earned a 46-35 rebounding advantage.

The Hawks built a 13-point, first-half lead, but the Bears fought back within six and trailed by seven at halftime.

Hartford surged out of intermission and outscored the Bears 12-2 in the first six minutes to extend its advantage to 19 and dampen UMaine’s hopes.

UMaine entertains Boston University on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Alfond Arena.

HAWKS 65, BLACK BEARS 41

Maine (8-17) Hartford (22-3)

Player G AG F AF TP Player G AG AF TP

Younan 0 3 0 0 0 Wexler 1 4 2

Underwod 0 8 4 6 4 Messam 5 12 14

Hugstd-Va 2 6 0 1 4 Witt 1 4 2

Elderton 4 9 0 0 8 Gale 0 5 0

Bowen 2 5 0 0 6 Clark 1 3 2

Kilmurray 0 0 3 4 3 McCabe 1 5 3

Barker 2 7 2 2 7 Gomez 0 1 1

Schrader 4 14 1 2 9 DiDonato 1 2

Matulis 1 2 2 4

Hood 8 13 3 19

Beverly 2 6 0 4

Schaefer 2 3 6

Kelley 3 6 0 6

Totals 14 52 10 15 41 Totals 26 65 10 65

Maine 21 41

Hartford 28 65

3-pt. goals – Maine (3-16): Younan 0-2, Underwood 0-3, Elderton 0-5, Bowen 2-3, Barker 1-3; Hartford (6-14): Wexler 0-2, Messam 3-5, McCabe 1-3, Gomez 0-1, Schaefer 2-3

Attendance: 2,015