COLUMBUS, Ohio — The standard for the UMaine women’s basketball team each season is simple: make the NCAA Tournament and “compete like heck.”

Maine Coach Amy Vachon knows how difficult that standard is. A perennial contender in America East, the Black Bears hadn’t reached the NCAA Tournament since 2019 before ending the drought last week by winning the conference championship.

Though Maine’s season concluded Friday with an 80-57 loss to No. 2 seed Ohio State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Vachon said the 15th-seeded Black Bears can be proud of what they accomplished.

“I hope that when people see Maine – coaches, players, fans – that they see a team that’s never going to give up, a team that just fights for everything, a team that’s smart, that plays really well together and that has each other’s backs, a team that loves each other through thick and thin,” Vachon said.

“Trust me, there are good times and bad times. There are ups and downs. It’s hard. It’s a long season. But I hope when (opponents) see the University of Maine, that they know they’re going to have a fight on their hands.”

The Black Bears (24-10) certainly caught Ohio State’s attention in the first quarter. Maine made its first five shots – four of which were from 3-point range – to grab a 14-11 lead. Olivia Rockwood, a senior guard, hit three early shots from long range and finished with 15 points on five 3-pointers.

Soon, though, Maine began to struggle with the Buckeyes’ full-court press. The Black Bears committed 22 turnovers, which turned into 24 Ohio State points.

A Celeste Taylor 3-pointer with less than three minutes to go in the first quarter gave Ohio State (26-5) a lead it wouldn’t lose. The Buckeyes ended the quarter on an 11-2 run for a 22-16 advantage.

Maine’s deficit grew in the second quarter, as Ohio State held the Black Bears scoreless for a stretch of more than four minutes while forcing six turnovers. By halftime, Ohio State’s lead was 43-24.

Jacy Sheldon led the Buckeyes with 19 points. Cotie McMahon scored 13 points, and Celeste Taylor and Taylor Thierry each added 12.

Maine kept pace with the Buckeyes in the second half but couldn’t cut into the deficit despite Anne Simon scoring 17 of her 25 points. The two-time America East Player of the Year and fifth-year senior from Luxembourg sank 11 of 21 attempts from the field, along with three rebounds and three assists, in her final college game.

When they weren’t turning the ball over against a press that Vachon called “the best in the country,” the Black Bears were effective on offense, shooting 52.3 percent. Junior forward Adrianna Smith, who finished with 11 points, six rebounds and six assists, credited Simon for setting the tone.

“Her leadership is a big part,” Smith said. “That’s something, yeah, we’re losing her minutes on the court, but also what she gives to us off the court. So that’s something that all of us that are going to be seniors and our (graduate students) are going to have to take over and really step up in.

“I’ve learned a lot. Sad to watch her go, but it’s good.”

Simon said that when she checked out with 53 seconds remaining, it hit her that her playing career at Maine was over.

“I’m just so happy and so proud that I chose Maine,” Simon said. “Just coming here, freshman year, everyone was so welcoming. I immediately felt love from everyone, from the coaches, from the teammates. And I can’t thank them enough for everything they’ve done for me. I wouldn’t be in the position I am right now without any of them. And I’m just so thankful.”

Vachon said Simon cemented herself as one of the best players in Maine women’s basketball history.

“It’s her work ethic, her toughness,” Vachon said. “Like, she never takes a play off. She never takes a day off. And that’s just not on the court. Like, she is so dedicated to her teammates and the program and her coaches, and she represents us so well. She represents her family so well. She represents Luxembourg so well.”