The seesaw battle between the Hawks and Black Bears featured seven ties and 11 lead changes before all was said and done. Hartford held the largest lead of the game with a six point advantage with just under six minutes remaining.

Freshman point guard Deanna Mayza completed her eighth double figure game of the season, leading all players in the game with 17 points making 5-of-12 from the field, including one three pointer, and going a perfect 6-of-6 at the free throw line. Mayza was one of two players to finish in double figures joined by Amber Bepko who contributed 10 points, eight of which came in the opening 20 minutes. The 17 points for Mayza is also the fourth time this season she has scored 15 or more points, including her career-high of 20 against Loyola (Md.).

Hartford outshot the Black Bears, making 37 percent of their attempts (20-of-54), including four three pointers. The Hawks also finished 12-of-16 at the free throw line. Freshman Alyssa Reaves led all players in the game with 13 rebounds, a new career-high, with the Black Bears winning the battle of the boards 42-39.

After opening the game with the first point thanks to a free throw from Reaves, the Black Bears took their first lead on a three pointer from Liz Wood. Hartford would tie the score at five thanks to its first three pointer of the game out of Bepko's hands. Maine would then build the largest lead of the opening half at five with 15:04 remaining before the break.

Just over six minutes later the Hawks tied the score at 14, which came as part of a 6-0 run on baskets from Shanise Bultron, Bepko and Reaves. That run ended with a 16-14 Hawks advantage with 6:29 remaining before intermission.

After a pair of free throws gave Hartford an 18-16 lead with 4:58 remaining, the lead would alternate five times before the end of the first half with the final one in favor of the Hawks. A layup from La'Trice Hall gave Hartford a 24-23 lead going into the locker room, with Bepko's eight points leading all players.

Coming out of the intermission, Hartford built its lead to three on a pair of baskets from Mayza and Cherelle Moore, before Maine batted to take its first lead of the half just over two minutes in. The Black Bears managed their own three point advantage with 16:52 left in the game thanks to a layup from Cherish Wallace.

Hartford then began its longest run of the afternoon, an 8-0 rally that resulted in a five point lead with 11:49 remaining. Mayza and Reaves each finished with a pair of buckets in the run. Maine would then score the next five, tying the score for the fifth time at 36 all with 10:57 remaining.

The Hawks would then use a 10-4 run to take their largest lead of the game with 7:38 remaining thanks to a jump shot from Bepko that provided a 46-40 advantage. Hartford would keep that lead for the next three minutes before a layup from Liz Wood tied the score at 48 with 4:39 left.

The Black Bears then broke a 50-50 tie with a jump shot from Mikaela Gustafsson, beating out the shot clock, taking a 52-50 lead and never relinquishing that advantage in the remaining two minutes. The victory for Maine was their first over Hartford since February of 2005.

The Hawks close out the week with a Sunday afternoon matinee against the New Hampshire Wildcats, who entering this week have lost just one conference game in eight attempts. The Hawks and Wildcats will tip-off at 2 p.m. with all the action live on ESPN3 as part of the America East TV package.