BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Senior Beth Suggs (Bath, Maine) led four University of New England players in double figures with 16 points, as the Nor'easters ran their win streak to seven with a 76-55 Commonwealth Coast Conference victory over Western New England University Saturday (Jan. 19) afternoon at the Harold Alfond Forum.
The win improves the Nor'easters' overall mark to 12-4 while upping their unblemished conference ledger to 9-0. The Golden Bears now stand at the .500 mark for the season at 8-8 (5-4 CCC). UNE has won the last eight meetings between the two squads.
Suggs' 16 points came thanks in part to a 6-for-6 effort at the free throw line. She grabbed 10 of her game-high 13 rebounds in the first half en route to her fifth consecutive double-double and 11th in 16 contests. Suggs also had three of the Nor'easters' 13 steals.
UNE rookie Sadie DiPierro (South Portland, Maine) matched her career best with 13 points, including three 3-pointers. Sophomore Kelly Coleman (Portland, Conn.) was 8 of 8 at the charity stripe to finish with 12 points to go with six boards and four steals, while first-year Alanna Vose (Cushing, Maine) added 11 points and four assists. Vose was 3-for-3 from beyond the arc. Senior Liz LeBlanc (Jay, Maine) also nailed a trio of three-pointers to finish with nine points. First-year point guard Meghan Gribbin (Windham, Maine) chipped in a game-best six assists.
For Western New England, senior Emily Savino (Ellington, Conn.) led all scorers with 17 points. Junior Nicole Daly (Massapequa, N.Y.) had 12 points and first-year Chelsea Vujs (Berlin, Conn.) added eight points, seven rebounds and five steals.
The Nor'easters led 37-28 at halftime despite shooting just 31.3 percent (10 of 32) for the frame. UNE collared nine offensive rebounds, leading to 11 second-chance points to help build its advantage.
Big Blue scored the first five points of the second half to push its lead to double digits. DiPierro knocked down a trey, and Gribbin converted a fastbreak layup to get the hosts going out of the locker room.
The Nor'easters maintained a double-digit cushion the remainder of the afternoon, with their lead cresting at 21 on three occasions, including the final tally.
UNE found its shooting eye after halftime, converting 54.2 percent (13 of 24) from the floor in the second half. For the game, the Nor'easters were 21 of 24 (87.5 percent) at the free throw line and made half of their 18 three-point attempts.
Western New England, which shot a solid 46.9 percent (23 of 49) for the contest, returns to action Wednesday (Jan. 23) at Gordon College (7:30 p.m.).
Next up for the Nor'easters is a road game at Wentworth that same evening. Start time in Boston is slated for 5:30 p.m.