ORONO – Trying to defend New Hampshire’s formidable frontcourt trio of Maren Matthias, Aubrey Danen and Anna Matthias was a tall order for the University of Maine women’s basketball team.

The Black Bears were able to rise above the Wildcats.

UMaine’s post players held their UNH counterparts in check and the Bears turned in another outstanding defensive performance Sunday while earning a 64-51 America East victory in front of a season-high crowd of 2,433 at Alfond Arena.

Sophomore forward Heather Ernest of Temple scored a game-high 18 points, pulled down seven rebounds and made four steals to lead a well-rounded effort for UMaine, which improved to 10-7 overall, 4-3 in league play.

“Basically, we did play defense,” Ernest said. “We were real tough. We were moving our feet instead of just standing there and fouling, which is what we’ve done…”

Freshman forward Monica Peterson, who gave away four or five inches guarding 6-foot-3 sisters Maren Matthias and Anna Matthias, played solid defense and finished with 10 points. Eva Moldre added eight rebounds, while Nicole Jay and Anna James chipped in with some quality minutes.

“The entire team defense was great, but we knew that their post players were much bigger, more physical than we have played against…” Maine coach Sharon Versyp said. “Our post players did play the best defensive game they’ve played since I’ve been here.”

The 6-1 Danen paced 10-8 New Hampshire (4-3 in AE) with 13 points and 12 rebounds and Maren Matthias added nine points and 11 rebounds. The Wildcats outrebounded the Bears 40-36.

“I thought we got some pretty good shots, we just didn’t put it down,” said UNH coach Sue Johnson. “… Our starting post players got 31 shots.”

New Hampshire’s post players shot a combined 11-for-35 (.314).

UMaine freshman point guard Kim Corbitt made 11 of 12 foul shots and tied her career high with 14 points. Scrappy sophomore guard Melissa Heon, a New Hampshire native, provided 13 points, six rebounds, four assists, three blocked shots and two steals.

UMaine used two second-half scoring runs to hold UNH at bay.

Leading by six, Ernest stepped out and swished a 3-pointer at the 8:12 mark. That kicked off an 8-2 spurt that gave the Bears a 53-41 lead with 5:41 to play.

“I like that spot up there at the top of the key,” Ernest said. “A lot of people don’t really think that I shoot from the outside, which I don’t really, but I can.”

The ‘Cats answered with a 7-0 run of their own to get back within five, but UMaine held its ground.

Heon popped out on the right wing, took a Moldre pass and without hesitating buried a clutch 3-pointer with 1:05 remaining that pushed the advantage back to 58-50.

“When I got it, I had the shot, so I felt like it and we needed it,” Heon said.

The Bears made their last six foul shots to ice it.

While UNH grabbed 18 offensive rebounds and scored 18 second-chance points, the Wildcats never got into an offensive rhythm.

“I can’t say anything except for the posts played unbelievable,” Heon said. “… The guards, I think we did a good job on the 3-point shooters, too.”

UNH went 5-for-15 from 3-point range while UMaine made six of 14.

The Bears committed 18 turnovers, but only six came in the second half.

BLACK BEARS 64, WILDCATS 51

New Hampshire (10-8) Maine (11-7)

Player G AG F AF TP Player G AG AF TP

Mullen 2 2 0 0 6 Heon 5 10 13

Plencner 3 11 1 2 8 Traversi 1 2

Livingston 2 7 3 4 8 Moldre 1 5 2

Danen 6 17 1 2 13 Ernest 6 8 18

M. Matthias 4 14 1 4 9 Veilleux 0 0

Caschera 0 1 0 0 0 Guerrette 1 5

Proctor 1 3 0 0 3 Jay 0 0 0

A. Matthias 1 4 2 2 4 Corbitt 1 5 11 12 14

Adams 0 2 0 0 0 James 0 0 0

Cruz 0 0 0 0

Peterson 3 6 10

Totals 19 61 8 14 51 Totals 18 46 22 26 64

New Hampshire 25 51

Maine 31 64

3-pt. goals ? UNH (5-15): Mullen 2-2, Plencner 1-5, Livingston 1-2, Caschera 0-1, Proctor 1-3, Adams 0-2; Maine (6-14): Heon 3-5, Traversi 0-5, Ernest 1-2, Guerrette 1-1, Corbitt 1-1

Attendance