ST. LOUIS -- Leading by three early in the second period, the University of New England used a 16-0 run over 3:39 to gain separation from Ohio Wesleyan University and earn an 81-62 win in the consolation game of the 10th Annual McWilliams Classic hosted by Washington University (Mo.) Saturday at the WU Field House.

Junior Kelley Paradis (Newport, Maine) scored the first seven points of the stretch that left the Nor'easters with a 60-41 cushion, and Big Blue (5-3) cruised from there. Paradis finished with a game-high 21 points on 10-of-15 shooting from the floor, also picking up nine rebounds and handed out five assists in the process. Senior Carrie Bunnell (Barnet, Vt.) contributed 16 points, nine boards, and five assists.

Sophomore Liz LeBlanc (Jay, Maine) scored 11 points -- all coming in the first half -- as part of a UNE bench that out-scored its opponent, 26-10. Junior Margo Russell (Madison, Maine) tallied 10 points.

For the game, UNE shot 47 percent (33-for-70) from the field, totaled 25 assists, and finished with a 54-32 advantage in rebounds.

The Battling Bishops were led by senior Kayla Gordon (St. Louis, Mo.) who posted a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds, to go with four blocks and four assists. Classmates Tyler Cordell (Columbus, Ohio) and Pam Quigney (Mentor, Ohio) notched 15 and 11 points, respectively.

OWU (3-5) converted just 31 percent (21 of 67) of its field goal attempts in the game.

UNE, with seven quick points from Bunnell, jumped out to a 15-5 lead 4:17 into the contest, only to see he Battling Bishops rally to within 19-17 just over three minutes later. Cordell hit a pair of three-pointers to help bring OWU back.

The Nor'easters countered with a 13-2 spurt to grab their largest lead of the frame (32-19) with 6:46 left before halftime. At the break, Big Blue was on top by a 40-33 margin.

A Gordon trey closed the deficit to three (44-41) with 17:50 to play, but UNE pulled away from there. After the 16-0 run, the Big Blue lead never dipped below 14 points the rest of the way.

The Nor'easters, who snapped a three-game losing streak with the win, return home for a non-conference tilt against No. 20 Colby College on Tuesday (7 p.m.).