The UMaine women's basketball team came up one point short in a bid to win the America East Conference championship. Albany claims a fifth straight title 59-58.

It was a battle that lived up to the hype.

Albany led by two points after one quarter. Maine led by five at the half. Maine led by three after three quarters.

And then, with five minutes to play, Tianna-Jo Carter hit a shot that gave the Great Danes a lead at 51-49. They would never give up that lead.

A Sigi Koizar three-pointer with 50-seconds left got Maine within a point, 59-58.

But the Black Bears would never score again. Koizar missed a shot with 7-seconds left and after Albany turned the ball over, the Bears had one last chance, Mikaela Gustafsson missed the shot. Game over.

The Great Danes(27-4) win their fifth consecutive AE title and will get the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

Maine(26-8) will get invited to the Women's NIT tournament.

Shareesha Richards scored 31 of Albany's 59 points.

Maine was led by SIgi Koizar with 15 points.

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