Jan 09, 2016
NEWPORT, R.I. -- During a span of 10:19 from the late 1st-quarter through much of the 2nd period, the University of New England rattled off a 32-5 run and cruised to a 76-42 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) women's basketball victory over Salve Regina University on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 9) at the Rodgers Recreation Center.
The Nor'easters (8-3, 5-0 CCC) have now won the last nine meetings against the Seahawks (4-9, 3-3 CCC).
Since returning to conference action earlier in the week, Big Blue has cranked up the defensive pressure, and it continued to be effective against SRU. With 25 forced turnovers and limiting Salve to 27.7 percent shooting from the floor, UNE's last three opponents have turned it over 103 times and converted just 28.8 percent (40 of 139) of their field goal attempts.
The attack was balanced for the Nor'easters, as Olivia Shaw and Alanna Vose each tallied 13 points. Brooke Flaherty added 12 points and Lauren Hayden contributed 11 points, six rebounds, four steals, and three assists. Sadie DiPierro pulled in a game-high nine rebounds, including seven from the offensive glass.
The Seahawks received team highs of nine points and six rebounds from Deanna McCarvell. Leading scorer Meaghan Harden did not get on the board until past the midway mark of the 3rd stanza and was held to her lowest point-total (5) of the year, nearly 13 below her season average.
It was 13-10 before UNE started the separating run, and the visitors posted 30 points in the 2nd frame to gain a 47-18 advantage at halftime.
Salve Regina came out of the break with six straight points to make a small dent in the deficit, but the Nor'easters responded with nine of the next 11 to negate any momentum shift.
UNE heads for Nichols College on Tuesday (5:30 p.m.).