NEWPORT, R.I. -- Sam MacDonald tallied a game-high 15 points to pace the University of New England to a 57-45 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) women's basketball triumph over Salve Regina University on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 21) at the Rodgers Recreation Center.

Winners of five consecutive outings, the Nor'easters (11-5) now stand at 8-2 in the CCC. Big Blue has taken the last 12 meetings with SRU.

Behind MacDonald, Alicia Brown added nine points, nine rebounds, and three blocks for UNE. Jocelyn Chaput contributed seven points, eight boards, and four assists. Ashley Coneys also tossed in seven points, and Sadie Nelson pulled in eight caroms to help the visitors control the glass, 52-41.

The Nor'easters only shot 33 percent for the contest, but limited the Seahawks (5-12, 3-7 CCC) to a mere 23 percent on the other end.

SRU was guided by Torie Scorpio with 13 points and eight rebounds. Ally Esielionis scored eight and grabbed five rebounds.

UNE held a 9-0 cushion before the midway point of the 1st quarter, however led by six (10-4) at the end of the period. Salve Regina made just 1-of-18 field goal tries in the frame.

The Seahawks did manage to register the first seven of the 2nd to move in front, briefly, only to see the Nor'easters use the next 5:17 to run off a 16-5 stretch and take a 29-19 advantage into the break.

That positive momentum stayed with UNE early in the 3rd stanza, as the margin swelled to 21 (42-21). SRU started the 4th with a 16-point deficit, and sliced it in half by 4:28 mark (48-40) while Big Blue struggled with 1-for-9 shooting accuracy and six turnovers, but the hosts could not get any closer.

The Nor'easters return home for the last non-league tilt on Monday against Saint Joseph's College of Maine (7 p.m.).