Senior Kari Pelletier's clutch drive to the basket in the late stages lifted UNE.

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Senior guard Kari Pelletier (South Paris, Maine) converted a traditional three-point play with 1:10 to play to help rally the University of New England past Endicott College for a 63-59 women's basketball win in a matchup of the two top Commonwealth Coast Conference teams Thursday evening at James A. Beaudry Gymnasium.

The win enabled the Nor'easters to switch places with the Gulls atop the CCC standings. UNE improved to 11-3 overall, 6-1 in conference play. The Gulls (9-6, 6-2 CCC) lost for the first time in their last six outings. UNE has won the last three meetings between the two teams, and four of the last five.

With her team trailing 59-58 and just over a minute to play, Pelletier drove hard to her left and finished with her off hand while being fouled by Gull sophomore Jennifer White (Lisbon, N.H.). The ensuing free throw pushed the advantage to 61-59.

After the Gulls came up empty on a three-point attempt their next time up the floor, UNE worked time off the clock before senior Kelley Paradis (Newport, Maine) hit a short jumper just as the shot clock was set to expire, giving the Nor'easters a 63-59 lead with 12 seconds to play to put the contest out of reach.

Senior Margo Russell (Madison, Maine) scored a team-high 14 points for the winners, while junior Beth Suggs (Bath, Maine) added 12 to go with six rebounds and five assists. Paradis finished with 10 points, and first-year Kelly Coleman (Portland, Conn.) came off the bench to grab a game-best nine boards.

For Endicott, sophomore Samantha Crough (Cohasset, Mass.) tallied 14 of her game-high 18 points in the second half. Crough added seven caroms and four assists. White chipped in 15 points, and first-year Kayleen Whall (Foxboro, Mass.) scored 13 points, nine after halftime. Sophomore Jordan Ferland (Charlestown, N.H.) was 5-for-8 from the floor to add 11 points.

The contest featured 12 ties and nine lead changes. UNE got off to a strong start, racing out to a 23-11 cushion 12 minutes into the contest. The Gulls closed the half with a 13-4 run to get within three (27-24) at the break.

The two teams went back-and-forth much of the final frame with no team leading by more than five at any time. After a three-ball by Crough gave Endicott a 53-48 advantage at the 6:49 mark, Russell drained a trey and Pelletier connected on a pair at the charity stripe to square things at 53. Whall's jumper at 3:43 was offset by a layup from Suggs on UNE's next possession for the 12th and final tie of the evening.

White made the second of two free throw tries with 3:09 left to give the Gulls a 56-55 lead, but Pelletier scored on a drive on UNE's next possession to give the hosts a 57-56 lead. After a deep three by Whall put Endicott up by two (59-57), Paradis made 1 of 2 at the line with 2:04 left, setting the stage for Pelletier's clutch three-point play several possessions later.

Endicott shot better from the floor (44 percent to 39 percent) than the Nor'easters, and held a slight advantage (34-32) in the rebounding department. UNE took great care of the basketball, committing just 10 miscues.

Both teams return to the hardwood Saturday. The Nor'easters head to Western New England University for a 1 p.m. start, while the Gulls host Eastern Nazarene College at 3 p.m.