BRISTOL, R.I. – Senior Kaitlyn Bovee (Berlin, Conn.) set a new school record for career points as the Roger Williams University Women's Basketball team defeated the University of New England 80-59 Saturday afternoon.
Bovee, who entered the day with 1,355 career points, needed 16 points to break the previous mark of 1,370, set by Kristin Gaynor '04. Her milestone basket came on a deep three-point ball at the top of the key with 4:16 to play in the game. She would finish with a game-high 22 points and now has 1,377 career points.
UNE, who is receiving votes in the WBCA Coaches' Poll, entered the game undefeated in The Commonwealth Coast Conference and on an eight-game winning streak. Roger Williams, who had dropped the previous three meetings against the Nor'Easters, showed no fear against the top team in conference.
Angelica Ariola (Prospect, Conn.) hit a pair of free throws to begin the game for the Hawks, helping lead RWU to an early 9-0 lead. Bovee helped increase the lead to double digits later in the period, hitting a jumper with 11:52 left in the half to make it 17-7.
UNE would not be deterred, as Sadie DiPierro (South Portland, Maine) hit a three to tie the game at 23, followed by an Alanna Vose (Cushing, Maine) layup to put the Nor'Easters up by two with 4:42 to go in the half. Four ties and one lead change came in the final five minutes of the half, with Roger Williams holding on to a slim 38-35 lead.
In the second half, the Nor'Easters were able to tie the game at 47 before the Hawks used a 14-4 run to take a 61-51 advantage with 8:39 to play. UNE was able to pull within four (59-63 on a pair of free throws by Lauren Hayden (Chantilly, Va.) at the 5:50 mark.
However, those would be the final points of the game for UNE. Bovee's record-setting three-pointer would put the Hawks on top 70-59 with 4:16 to play. The Hawks would use the momentum to shut out the Nor'Easters the rest of the way.
Bovee added 13 rebounds and a career-best four block to go along with her 22 points. Amanda Keane (Wilmington, Mass.) set a new career high with 19 points off the bench while shooting 9-of-11 from the field. In addition, Ariola added eight points and five boards.
Hayden led UNE with 15 points and two steals before fouling out. Brooke Flaherty (Portland, Maine) had 14 points and five rebounds, while Kelly Coleman (Portland, Conn.) also scored 14 with four boards.
On Tuesday, Roger Williams (12-1, 7-0 CCC) will head to Gordon, while UNE (12-2, 7-1, 1-8 CCC) hosts Curry.