ORONO – Teams respond to adversity in different ways.

After getting blown out by third-ranked Connecticut last week, Holy Cross demonstrated its resilience Sunday afternoon.

The Crusaders shut down the University of Maine with aggressive defense and shot 52 percent from 3-point range on their way to a 79-50 women’s basketball victory over the Black Bears at Alfond Arena.

Holy Cross (1-2) established itself at both in the first 10 minutes, then never let UMaine (1-2) back into contention.

“For whatever reason, we really struggled getting into it early on,” said UMaine coach Cindy Blodgett. “There’s going to be bumps in the road here. I’m looking for us to react by being a little more aggressive as opposed to being afraid to lose – and there’s a big difference.”

UMaine had difficulty guarding the Crusaders, whether out of the 1-2-2 matchup zone or playing man-to-man. Holy Cross scored from inside and from long range, going 12-for-23 on 3-pointers.

Brianna McFadden connected for a game-high 19 points to help the defending Patriot League champions get back on track after Wednesday’s 91-36 loss to UConn.

“I thought we had a character game [today] after that,” said Holy Cross coach Bill Gibbons. “I thought we beat a Maine team that I was very nervous about playing up here. Never in my wildest dreams did I think we’d blow them out like we did. It’s a credit to my kids.”

Defensively, the visitors had success with both their man-to-man and matchup zone. The Bears appeared out of synch and committed 15 of their 23 turnovers in the first half.

UMaine wound up shooting 30 percent from the field for the game led by a career-best 15 points, and seven rebounds, from junior Colleen Kilmurray. She went 9-for-10 from the foul line.

“We played scared today. We were really timid,” said sophomore co-captain Brittany Boser, who provided 12 points. “People weren’t looking to shoot. It was a real setback.”

Sophomore point guard Kristin Baker of Bingham contributed 12 points, three assists and a steal for the Bears, who converted 21 of 25 free throws.

UMaine was 3-for-16 on 3-pointers.

Bethany O’Dell drained five 3-pointers on her way to 17 points, while Ashley McLaughlin scored 12 points in a balanced effort for the Crusaders.

Holy Cross made its first surge 71/2 minutes into the first half. Leading 10-7, the Crusaders went on an 8-0 run.

McFadden scored on a baseline drive, Ashley McLaughlin converted a conventional three-point play off a low-post basket, Laura Aloisi snipped a 17-footer and Alyssa May added a free throw to make it 18-7 with 10:54 left in the half.

The Bears already had seven turnovers by that point.

“We got outworked,” Kilmurray. “We just have to bear down and outwork teams, not give up when they hit two shots back to back, go back down and score.”

The Crusaders built the lead to 20 (40-20) by halftime, thanks to a 10-0 spurt that featured 3-pointers by Aloisi and Bethany O’Dell.

Holy Cross slowly extended its lead during the second half.

Blodgett refused to use UMaine’s youth and inexperience as an excuse for Sunday’s lackluster performance. However, she is looking for much more intensity and resilience in the face of adversity.

“We took a little step backwards today,” Blodgett said.

“I don’t expect them to be turnover-free or mistake-free throughout the game, but I do expect them to fight and continue to work hard.”

UMaine returns to action Friday in the annual Dead River Co. Classic. The Bears entertain Harvard at 7 p.m.

CRUSADERS 79, BLACK BEARS 50

Holy Cross (1-2) Maine (1-2)

Player G AG F AF TP Player G AG AF TP

May 0 6 6 8 6 Boser 5 7 2 12

McFadden 5 9 6 6 19 Tewksbry 0 2

McLaghlin 5 7 2 3 12 Kilmurray 3 10 15

Aloisi 3 6 0 0 7 Younan 1 4 4

O’Dell 6 14 0 0 17 Baker 4 10 12

Cushnie 2 4 0 0 6 Ross 0 6 2

Carper 0 0 1 2 1 Johnson 0 2 0

Pearson 0 0 0 0 0 Rousseau 0 0

Merrihue 4 5 0 0 9 Bowen 0 0 0

Campbell 1 3 0 0 2 Vaitkute 0 2

Fremeau 0 3 0 0 0 Bratishko 0 1

Gruzynski 0 0 0 0 0

Totals 26 57 15 19 79 Totals 13 44 21 25 50

Holy Cross 40 79

Maine 20 50

3-pt. goals – Holy Cross (12-23): May 0-2, McFadden 3-5, Aloisi 1-2, O’Dell 5-9, Cushnie 2-4, Merrihue 1-1; Maine (3-16): Kilmurray 0-1, Younan 1-2, Baker 2-4, Ross 0-6, Johnson 0-1, Rousseau 0-2

Attendance: 2,590