VEZAIE, Maine (Interstat) — In a game defined by a singular, dominant performance and a frantic final sequence, the Maine Black Bears edged the Albany Great Danes 60-59 in a tense America East women’s basketball clash Thursday night at Cross Insurance Center.

The contest, witnessed by 1,168 fans, was a tale of two halves and ultimately two superstars. Maine, the home team, built a commanding lead through three quarters of methodical, consistent play, only to see Albany’s Martina Borrellas mount a furious, one-woman comeback that fell a single point short.

Maine established control early, winning the opening period 17-12 and maintaining that five-point edge with an identical 17-point second quarter to lead 34-30 at halftime. The Black Bears’ offense, orchestrated by guard Adrianna Smith, was a model of efficiency, scoring exactly 17 points in each of the first three quarters. Smith, a junior from Reston, Virginia, was the engine, finishing with 20 points and 12 assists, consistently finding teammates like Asta Blauenfeldt of Denmark, who scored 13 points, and Sarah Talon of Windham, Maine, who added 12.

Albany, meanwhile, relied heavily on the individual brilliance of Borrellas. The 6-foot-1 sophomore from Barcelona, Spain, kept her team within striking distance, scoring 23 of her game-high 23 points through the first three frames. Despite her efforts, the Great Danes faced their largest deficit heading into the final period, down 51-45 after Maine’s third consecutive 17-point quarter.

The fourth quarter transformed into a dramatic reversal. Maine’s previously fluid offense stalled completely, managing only nine points. Albany’s defense tightened, and Borrellas took over. She scored 14 points in the final quarter alone, single-handedly outscoring the entire Maine team during the period. Her driving layup and free throw with 1 minute, 40 seconds remaining gave Albany its first lead since the opening minutes at 59-58, capping a 14-7 run to start the quarter.

The most important part of the game unfolded in the final 11 seconds. After Borrellas gave Albany the lead, Maine called a full timeout to set up a final play. Out of the break, Smith drove to the basket but missed a layup. In the ensuing scramble, she secured her own offensive rebound and, with just two seconds remaining on the clock, put up a second-chance tip-in that found the net, putting Maine back ahead 60-59.

Albany had one final opportunity, inbounding the ball with 1.1 seconds left. The inbounds pass went to guard Delanie Hill, but her desperation three-point attempt from the wing as time expired missed, sealing the one-point victory for the Black Bears.

Beyond the starring duo, Albany received 11 points from Hill and seven points from Bella Stuart. Maine’ Ashlyne Woods contributed 10 points in the win.

The victory improved Maine’s season record to 16-12 overall, while Albany moved to 14-14. The result completed a regular-season sweep for the Black Bears, who also defeated the Great Danes 65-60 in Albany on Jan. 22.

Both teams return to conference play Saturday. Albany travels to face New Hampshire, while Maine will host Binghamton.