The University of Maine women’s basketball team’s four-game winning streak came to a screeching halt on Saturday afternoon as the Black Bears shot just 23.1 percent from the floor and a dismal 9.5 percent beyond the 3-point arc in a 63-42 America East loss to the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
It was Maine’s lowest output in an America East game this season.
NJIT improved to 16-10 overall and 7-6 in the conference while UMaine fell to 14-12 and 9-4.
It was UMaine’s final America East road game as the Black Bears finish up the regular season with home games against New Hampshire, Albany and Binghamton beginning with next Saturday’s 1 p.m. contest with UNH.
Olivia Kulyk’s 19 points paced the Highlanders, who outscored UMaine 54-30 after the first quarter. She also had nine rebounds, two blocked shots, two assists and a steal.
Ava Locklear had 17 points, 12 rebounds, three blocks and two assists and Marissa Gingrich had 10 points, seven rebounds and two assists. Allison Cannon produced eight points, five assists, four rebounds and two blocks.
NJIT blocked 10 UMaine shots.
UMaine fifth-year senior forward Adrianna Smith had 24 points and 15 rebounds, both game-highs. It was her 14th double-double of the season and fifth in a row.
She shot 9-for-25 from the floor while the rest of the team went 6-for-40.
Lala Woods had eight points and five rebounds; Asta Blauenfeldt had five points and two steals and Lizzy Gruber had four points, two rebounds and two assists off the bench.
NJIT shot 42.1% from the floor and 39.1% from long distance.