KINGSTON, R.I. – The University of Maine overcame a slow-paced game and 25 turnovers with strong defense and free throw shooting Sunday while holding on for a 52-48 women’s basketball victory over Rhode Island at Keaney Gymnasium.

Junior guard/forward Kizzy Lopez registered two steals and hit three of four foul shots in the final 3 minutes, 44 seconds, to help the Black Bears improve to 4-4 with their third consecutive victory.

Atlantic 10 member Rhode Island, now 0-8, kept UMaine in its sights throughout. The Bears were unable to extend their lead beyond five points in the contest, but did not relinquish their advantage after a Martina Tinlova layup put UMaine ahead 16-15 midway through the first half.

Coach Joanne Palombo-McCallie’s Bears sank 15 of 20 free throws, but did miss three of their last five chances. Senior center Jamie Cassidy led UMaine with 12 points, seven rebounds and five blocked shots, but she also committed seven turnovers.

The Bears balanced out the effort as Lopez contributed nine points and three steals, Tinklova eight points and six rebounds. Senior point guard Amy Vachon finished with five points, four assists and four steals.

Vachon is now two assists shy of setting the America East career assists record of 605 now held by Hartford’s Maureen DiJulia (1995-99).

Rhonda Pacheco paced the Rams with 12 points and four assists, while Shannon Boor added 11 points and four assists. Cassandra Dabbs added 10 points.

The Bears held onto the lead during the final 10 minutes, even after Rhode Island twice cut the deficit to one point.

The hosts challenged as Boor made a 3-pointer to cut UMaine’s lead to 45-44 with 5:43 remaining. After the teams traded turnovers, Tinklova fed Cassidy, who converted a conventional three-point play to restore a four-point lead.

Dabbs countered with a layup at the 4:16 mark, but the Bears answered with two Lopez free throws. UMaine eventually got the lead up to five on a Tracy Guerrette foul shot with 2:15 to play, but URI’s Colleen Mullen hit a jumper 25 seconds later.

The Bears missed their next three shots, but Tinklova snatched a couple of key offensive rebounds to help UMaine cling to a 51-48 edge. Lopez then came up with her third steal during a span of 3 1/2 minutes and helped ice the victory with a free throw.

Rhode Island outrebounded UMaine 28-25, but managed only four second-chance points. The Bears scored 22 points directly off turnovers by the Rams, who shot only 42 percent (5-for-12) from the foul line.

Black Bears 52, Rams 48

Maine (4-4) Rhode Island (0-8)

Name G AG F AF TP Name G AG F AF TP

Lopez 3 6 3 4 9 Strike 0 2 0 1 0

James 2 3 0 0 4 Kuyateh 3 7 0 1 6

Cassidy 5 12 1 2 12 Smith 2 6 1 3 5

Vachon 2 3 1 2 5 Mullen 1 4 0 0 2

Geraghty 0 2 0 0 0 Pacheco 3 10 4 7 12

McCormick 2 4 0 0 5 Machang’na 1 2 0 0 2

Moldre 0 1 0 0 0 Boor 4 7 0 0 11

Guerrette 0 1 2 4 2 Dabbs 5 7 0 0 10

Stone 1 2 2 2 5

Tinklova 2 4 4 4 8

Cruz 0 0 2 2 2

Totals 17 38 15 20 52 Totals 19 45 5 12 48

Maine 29 52

Rhode Island 27 48

3-pt. goals: Maine (3-5): Cassidy 1-1, McCormick 1-1, Guerrette 0-1, Stone 1-2; Rhode Island (5-13): Mullen 0-3, Pacheco 2-5, Boor 3-5

Attendance: 160