BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Marle Curle had 14 points to lead a balanced attack for No. 19 Bowdoin College in an 87-63 women's basketball victory over the University of New England on Tuesday evening (Nov. 22) at the Harold Alfond Forum.

The Polar Bears improve to 2-0 on the young season, while the Nor'easters fall for the first time in four outings (3-1).

Seven players tallied at least seven points for Bowdoin, with four in double figures. Rachel Norton and Emily Campbell each supported the cause with 11, and Kate Kerrigan posted 10 points, six assists, and four steals. Lydia Caputi and Curle combined for 13 rebounds, helping their side to a 40-30 advantage on the glass.

The visitors made 46 percent from the floor on the night, and out-scored UNE by five from both long range (9-4) and the free throw line (20-15).

The Nor'easters were paced by Sadie Nelson and a game-high 18 points with six boards. Alicia Brown contributed nine points, while Sam MacDonald pulled in a match-best nine rebounds and had five assists.

UNE suffered from 22 turnovers that led to 24 Bowdoin points going the other direction.

MacDonald put the home team up 3-1 moments into the contest, but UNE came up empty on its next 12 trips (8 turnovers) as the Polar Bears assumed a 13-3 cushion.

Less than four minutes into the 2nd quarter, the Bowdoin reached a 32-11 lead by beginning the frame with 16 of the initial 18 points. The spread was nearly the same at halftime (44-22), as the Polar Bears' defense held Big Blue to just 5-of-24 shooting accuracy during the opening 20 minutes. 

The Nor'easters did not go easily, however, as the gap was trimmed to single digits (51-42, 53-44) late in the 3rd. Nelson had nine points in the stanza, and UNE knocked down 9-of-12 field-goal tries.

But a trey by Norton and buzzer-beating jumper from Caputi bumped the margin to 14 (58-44) entering the closing quarter. The cushion was no less than that the rest of the way.