Feb 14, 2013
DUDLEY, Mass. -- University of New England first-year guard Alanna Vose scored a career-high 14 points to lead four players in double figures, as the Nor'easters cruised in the second half for a 66-39 Commonwealth Coast Conference women's basketball victory over Nichols College Thursday (Feb. 14) evening at the Nichols Athletic Center.
While stretching their school-record win streak to 15 games, the Nor'easters (20-4, 17-0 CCC) registered their fifth consecutive 20-victory season. Under the direction of sixth-year head coach Anthony Ewing, Big Blue has amassed a remarkable record of 109-31 over the last five seasons. UNE has also reeled off 24 straight regular-season conference victories.
Vose was 5-for-6 at the free throw line and added four assists. She was aided by Beth Suggs, who had 11 points and seven rebounds, and Kelly Coleman and Lauren Hayden, who tallied 10 points apiece. Coleman grabbed 10 rebounds to record her eighth double-double, while Hayden continued her solid all-around play with six rebounds and four steals.
Hayley Zophin scored 14 points and snared 13 boards to lead the way for Nichols (6-18, 3-14). Devon Spirka chipped in 11 points.
Leading by four (16-12) midway through the first half, the Nor'easters outscored Nichols 13-8 the remainder of the frame to take a 29-20 advantage into intermission.
UNE ran off a 16-4 spurt over the initial 5:31 of the second half to lead 45-24 and essentially put the game away. Suggs and Vose combined for 10 points during the surge.
Each squad struggled shooting the basketball, with the Nor'easters making 35.7 percent (25 of 70) of their field goal attempts and the Bison connecting on 25.9 percent (15 of 58). The teams combined to convert just 3 of 24 attempts from beyond the three-point arc.
Big Blue managed a 53-42 margin on the glass, while forcing 33 Nichols' turnovers.
Both teams conclude their regular season Saturday. UNE travels to Western New England University, and the Bison head to Gordon College. Each game is slated to start at 1 p.m.
While stretching their school-record win streak to 15 games, the Nor'easters (20-4, 17-0 CCC) registered their fifth consecutive 20-victory season. Under the direction of sixth-year head coach Anthony Ewing, Big Blue has amassed a remarkable record of 109-31 over the last five seasons. UNE has also reeled off 24 straight regular-season conference victories.
Vose was 5-for-6 at the free throw line and added four assists. She was aided by Beth Suggs, who had 11 points and seven rebounds, and Kelly Coleman and Lauren Hayden, who tallied 10 points apiece. Coleman grabbed 10 rebounds to record her eighth double-double, while Hayden continued her solid all-around play with six rebounds and four steals.
Hayley Zophin scored 14 points and snared 13 boards to lead the way for Nichols (6-18, 3-14). Devon Spirka chipped in 11 points.
Leading by four (16-12) midway through the first half, the Nor'easters outscored Nichols 13-8 the remainder of the frame to take a 29-20 advantage into intermission.
UNE ran off a 16-4 spurt over the initial 5:31 of the second half to lead 45-24 and essentially put the game away. Suggs and Vose combined for 10 points during the surge.
Each squad struggled shooting the basketball, with the Nor'easters making 35.7 percent (25 of 70) of their field goal attempts and the Bison connecting on 25.9 percent (15 of 58). The teams combined to convert just 3 of 24 attempts from beyond the three-point arc.
Big Blue managed a 53-42 margin on the glass, while forcing 33 Nichols' turnovers.
Both teams conclude their regular season Saturday. UNE travels to Western New England University, and the Bison head to Gordon College. Each game is slated to start at 1 p.m.