GORHAM, Maine -- Junior guard Kelley Paradis (Newport, Maine) finished with a career-high 30 points, and the University of New England scored 53 second-half points to pull away for an 89-79 non-conference women's basketball victory over the University of Southern Maine in a mutual season-opener Monday evening at Warren G. Hill Gymnasium.
After dropping 35 of their first 36 meetings with USM, the Nor'easters have won two straight by a double-digit margin.
Paradis' opening game of the 2010-11 season was the finest of her career. The 5'10" guard was 12-for-18 from the floor while grabbing seven rebounds, handing out six assists, garnering four steals and blocking three shots.
Senior guard Carrie Bunnell (Barnet, Vt.) scored 17 points on 6-for-8 accuracy from the field, including perfection on all three of her three-point attempts. Sophomore guard Liz LeBlanc (Jay, Maine) came off the bench to make four treys and finish with a career-best 13 points, while junior forward Margo Russell (Madison, Maine) chipped in 10 points -- all coming at the free throw line. She also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds for UNE, which established a 37-28 advantage on the glass. Senior guard April Mroz (Somersworth, N.H.) surpassed her previous career best, scoring nine points.
UNE trailed 57-51 with 12:19 to play but would outscore the Huskies 16-5 over the ensuing three minutes to take control. The Nor'easters built their lead to 11 before USM rallied to cut its deficit to two (79-77) with just under three minutes remaining. Bunnell and Paradis combined for seven points down the stretch to help secure the win.
Overall, Big Blue shot a red-hot 56 percent (28 of 50) from the floor, including 16 of 27 (60.7 percent) after halftime as the Nor'easters extended a 37-36 lead. UNE made 10 of 18 (55.6 percent) from beyond the arc for the contest.
Senior guard Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine) had 17 points to lead the way for the Huskies. Junior guard Renee Nicholas (Sebago, Maine) added 16 points and four steals, while first-year guard Lauren Rousseau (Biddeford, Maine) scored 12 points. Junior Kimberly Rivet (Bridgton, Maine) offered a solid performance with 10 points and five steals.
UNE will play its home-opener Wednesday when St. Joseph's College comes to Biddeford for a 6 p.m. start. All the action may be seen live on Nor'easter All-Access.
Southern Maine hosts the USM Tip-Off Classic Friday and Saturday.