ORONO – In a game where the hot team shot just 31 percent from the field, it was a 3-pointer that proved to be the winning score.

Southern Methodist’s Katie Gross hit the long shot with 3:15 remaining and the Black Bears last-gasp rally fell just short as the Mustangs edged Maine 44-43 in non-conference women’s basketball action at Alfond Arena Sunday afternoon.

Maine (5-4) was forced to play without senior Melissa Heon. The point guard and Maine’s second leading scorer injured her thumb in practice this weekend. It is unknown how long she will be out.

Gross’ basket gave SMU (4-4) it’s largest lead of the game at 44-37 and forced Maine coach Sharon Versyp to call a timeout.

Following the stoppage, former MDI standout Bracey Barker hit a field goal with 2:58 remaining to cut the deficit to five and Monica Peterson’s layup made it a 44-41 game.

Maine had one last chance as the Black Bears had the ball for the game’s final 26 seconds. Barker’s putback at the horn accounted for the final margin.

“We were close,” said Versyp. “We just didn’t get it done. I said that if we don’t have a three, we can still attack the glass and try to see if they will foul us. I guess nobody wanted to shoot the three and then when we did we got the board but the ball didn’t get kicked back out. It’s a learning experience.”

“I was amazed (Heather Ernest) didn’t take that three at the end of the game,” said SMU coach Rhonda Rompola. “I was not only amazed, I was ecstatic. She’s a great shooter and one of their leaders.”

The shot not taken was the culmination of a concerted effort to shut Ernest down.

“We were trying to isolate No. 11,” said Rompola. “We altered our defense a little bit to front her a little more and not allow her to get the ball in the block. When she did get it in the block, we tried to show help from the opposite post.”

It was a slow game as the two teams showed the effects of the holiday break in the schedule. Ernest scored 10 of Maine’s 17 first-half points and the Black Bears trailed by one at the half.

“You could certainly tell by the play, of our team at least, that the teams were coming off the holidays,” said Rompola.

“I thought this game was going to be a tough one coming off the break,” said Versyp. “Neither team shot well. That usually happens off a break but both teams played very good defense.”

Ernest was very frank about Maine’s effort.

“Their quickness and the fact we didn’t hold our box outs hurt us,” said the senior forward and Mt. Blue graduate. “They definitely were hungrier for the boards than we were.”

Ernest ended up with 14 points for Maine while Abby Schrader had 10. Barker followed with eight.

Sarah Davis led all scorers with 15 points for SMU. Shonte Roberts added 13.

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