SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- The University of New England women's basketball team limited Western New England University to 24.5 percent shooting on its way to a 57-35 Commonwealth Coast Conference victory Saturday afternoon (Jan. 25) at the Alumni Healthful Living Center.

By virtue of Roger Williams University's loss to Salve Regina University on Saturday, the Nor'easters (14-2, 9-1 CCC) now stand alone at the top of the conference standings. Western New England drops to 7-9 overall, 4-6 in CCC games.

First-year guard Kate Sawyer led a balanced Big Blue offense with a game-high and career-best 11 points. She was perfect on all four of her field goal attempts, including three from downtown. Junior forward Kelly Coleman and sophomore guard Alanna Vose scored nine points apiece for UNE, which shot a solid 40.7 percent (22 of 54) from the floor. Junior forward Kendra Dawless pulled down a career-high 10 rebounds, while first-year center Alicia Brown grabbed six.

Sophomore forward Sarah Shields tallied 10 points for the Golden Bears, who made just 12 of 49 shots from the floor.

UNE never trailed in the contest, stifling the host Golden Bears right from the outset while racing out to a 13-2 lead less than seven minutes into the first half.

After Western New England scored five consecutive points to pull within six (13-7), the Nor'easters closed the half with a 22-11 run to take a 35-18 cushion into halftime. Coleman notched eight of her nine points before the break, and the Nor'easters made 56 percent (14 of 25) of their field goal attempts to help build their lead.

Despite cooling from the floor after halftime, UNE was able to lead comfortably the remainder of the afternoon. Big Blue's largest lead (50-22) came on a Vose three-ball with 11:40 to play.

All 17 players saw court time for the Nor'easters, who led in rebounds, 41-34.

Next up for UNE is a non-conference game Monday (Jan. 27) at Saint Joseph's College. The Nor'easters and Monks will tip off at 7 p.m.