GORHAM, Maine – Sophomore Bri Hochwarter (Attleboro, Mass.) scored a career-high 24 points, including six three-pointers, off the bench to lead the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth to a 77-68 Little East Conference victory over the University of Southern Maine this afternoon in a NCAA Division III women's basketball game. The Corsairs registered their first victory in program history inside the Hill Gymnasium, snapping a 32-game road losing streak.
UMass Dartmouth (9-3) moved into sole possession of first place in the conference circuit with a 3-0 mark by handing the Huskies (6-7, 2-1 LEC) their first league loss of the season.
The Corsairs connected on 43.1 percent (22-for-51) of their attempts from the field, including 42.1 percent (8-for-19) from long range. Hochwarter scored 18 of her 24 points from downtown to lead three players in double digits in scoring. Classmate Megan Ronaghan (North Attleboro, Mass.) produced 22 points, on 7-for-11 from the floor, and seven rebounds, while junior Beth Castantini (Newburyport, Mass.) netted 13 points. Senior Kelsey Garrity (Somerville, Mass.) scored seven points and handed out four assists, while classmate Erin Fahey (Salem, Mass.) pulled in seven boards.
Junior Megan Pelletier (Winslow, Maine) posted a double-double with game-highs in points (32) and rebounds (11) to pace Southern Maine. Senior Stephanie Gallagher (York, Maine) registered 12 points and four assists, while freshman Kayla Stacy (Auburn, N.H.) netted 12 points off the bench.
In a back and forth first half that featured six lead changes and six ties, neither team led by more than three possessions. UMass Dartmouth utilized a 7-0 run, capped by four consecutive points from Fahey, to take the largest advantage of the frame at 27-20 with 6:24 remaining in the period. The Huskies responded with a 10-0 surge to regain their advantage at 30-27. Pelletier sparked the surge with back-to-back baskets; while Gallagher sank three free throws to close the run. Both teams exchanged baskets down the stretch, but a layup by Pelletier gave the hosts' a 37-36 lead entering the intermission.
Tied at 52-all with less than 12 minutes remaining in regulation, Southern Maine created a little distance when Stacy drilled consecutive three-pointers from the corner to match the hosts' largest lead of the contest, 58-52.
However, Castantini stemmed the tide with a lay-up and Hochwarter connected on a pair of triples to give UMass Dartmouth a lead they would never relinquish at 60-58. Castantini extended the advantage with a conventional three-point play to cap the decisive 11-0 run.
The Corsairs clamped down on the defensive end of the court over the final six minutes, limiting the Huskies to just two made field goals. UMass Dartmouth knocked down nine of its 12 free throw attempts over the final 90 seconds of regulation to seal the contest.
UMass Dartmouth will return to action at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 13, when the Corsairs travel to Little East Conference rival Eastern Connecticut State University.