BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Junior forward Kelly Coleman (Portland, Conn.) scored 20 points to lead all scorers, as the University of New England defeated rival Endicott College, 74-68, in Commonwealth Coast Conference women's basketball action Saturday afternoon (Feb. 1) before a season-high crowd at the Harold Alfond Forum.

The Nor'easters won their 23rd consecutive home contest to up their record to 17-2. UNE held on to its lead in the CCC standings and now sports an 11-1 conference mark. Endicott (14-5, 9-3 CCC) saw a four-game win streak come to an end.

Coleman reached the 20-point plateau for the second time this week and sixth of the year. She added five rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals.

The Nor'easters got a strong game from sophomore guard Lauren Hayden (Chantilly, Va.), who accounted for 12 points, eight boards and five steals. Sophomore guards Meghan Gribbin (Windham, Maine) and Sadie DiPierro (South Portland, Maine) scored 12 and 11 points, respectively. Gribbin dished out a game-high five assists, while DiPierro contributed six rebounds and three assists.

For Endicott, sophomore forward Kelsey Cuddy posted a double-double with 16 points and 10 caroms. She also had three assists and a pair of blocks. Junior forward Kayleen Whall (Foxboro, Mass.) came off the bench to register 14 points and eight rebounds. Senior guard Jennifer White (Lisbon, N.H.) and junior guard Katelyn Wright (Sudbury, Mass.) combined to score 23 points. Senior forward Samantha Crough (Cohasset, Mass.) piled up five blocked shots for the Gulls.

The game featured a tournament atmosphere from start-to-finish. The visiting Gulls got off to a strong start, building an 11-4 lead seven minutes into the contest. They would still lead by seven (22-15) with 6:36 left in the frame before Big Blue closed the half with a 19-10 run to take a two-point advantage (32-30) into intermission. DiPierro had a pair of three-pointers and eight points total to help the hosts grab their slim lead.

Endicott utilized a 12-3 start over the opening 4:36 of the second stanza to establish a 42-35 cushion.

Trailing by five (44-39) with 12:47 on the clock, the Nor'easters proceeded to hold the Gulls scoreless over the ensuing 4:39 to grab control of the contest. During that time Big Blue reeled off 13 straight points, a streak capped by a trey from sophomore guard Alanna Vose (Cushing, Maine) to give UNE a 52-44 lead.

UNE continued to hold a lead that flactuated between five and nine points until Wright nailed a three-ball to get Endicott within three (63-60) at the 2:46 mark. Coleman would convert a drive to the basket on the Nor'easters' next trip down the floor, and Big Blue made 8 of 8 at the free throw line in the final minute to help hold off the Gulls.

For the game, the Nor'easters shot just 62.2 percent at the foul line but made a total of 23 freebies to help overcome a 40-31 Endicott lead on the glass. UNE's defense forced 25 Gull turnovers.

Each team returns to action Tuesday (Feb. 4) with CCC road games. The Nor'easters travel to Boston to take on Wentworth Institute of Technology, and the Gulls will face Salve Regina University. Both games are slated to tip-off at 5:30 p.m.