ORONO – The University of Maine women’s basketball team cut a nine-point halftime deficit to one before Brown bolted away with a 65-52 victory in the opening round of the Dead River Classic holiday tournament.

Sadiea Williams led Brown (1-4) with 16 points and seven rebounds. Karly Grace added 13 points and Courtney Lee for Brown’s Bears. Brown shot 50 percent from the field in the second half while holding Maine (1-3) to 34 percent after the break and in the game, overall.

Samantha Baranowski led Maine with 15 points, including 7 of 10 from the free-throw line. Maine outscored Brown 20-11 from the stripe.

Samantha Wheeler added 12 points for the Black Bears. Kristin Baker doled out six assists. Maine will face New Jersey Institute of Technology at 1 p.m. today in the consolation game.

South Alabama 71, Maine 59

MOBILE, Ala. – Brandon Davis led four South Alabama players in double figures as the Jaguars rolled past Maine, 71-59, in men’s basketball.

Domonic Tilford and La-Shun Watson each added 15 points for South Alabama (3-3). DeAndre Coleman chipped in 11.

Mark Socoby led all scorers with 28 points for Maine (3-3), including six of the Black Bears’ 10 3-pointers.

Gerald McLemore added 10 points. Troy Barnies of Auburn started the game and scored four points for Maine.