BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Lindsey Howland and Jocelyn Chaput each hit a pair of three-pointers during a 23-4 2nd quarter to help the University of New England separate from Saint Joseph's College (Maine) on the way to a 74-45 women's basketball victory on Monday night (Jan. 23) at the Harold Alfond Forum.

Winners of the last 13 meetings between the two squads, the Nor'easters captured their sixth straight victory to improve its season mark to 12-5. The Monks saw their eight-game unbeaten streak come to an end, dropping to 15-3.

Sadie Nelson came off the bench to convert 5-of-6 field goal attempts and pace UNE with 12 points and seven rebounds. Chaput and Olivia Shaw finished with 11 points apiece, while Howland also reached double digits in scoring with 10. Alicia Brown contributed eight points, eight rebounds, four blocked shots, and three steals to the result, and reigning Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Player of the Week Sam MacDonald chipped in eight points and a career-best six assists.

The Nor'easters shot a sizzling 56 percent (28-of-50) for the game, including a 10-for-19 performance from behind the arc.

For the Monks, Brianne Maloney led all scorers with 13 points, largely behind a 9-of-12 effort at the charity stripe. Emily Benway added 12 points and seven caroms. Hannah Marks grabbed a team-high eight boards.

UNE put a clamp down on Saint Joseph's leading scorer, Kelsi McNamara, who finished without a point (averaging 15.5) after going 0-for-9 from the floor with four turnovers

Though SJC was out-rebounded by a 41-34 margin, the visitors were plus-10 on the offensive glass (18-8). However, the Monks really struggled in the shooting department, making just 21 percent (13-for-61) of their tries.

UNE connected on 9-of-15 shots to hold a 20-19 edge after the 1st period, before dropping a torrid 64.3 percent (9-for-14) in the ensuing frame to seize control. Meanwhile, Big Blue's defense limited St. Joe's to one field goal in 15 attempts as it built a 20-point (43-23) halftime bulge. 

The spread stayed above 20 for the remainder of the contest, peaking at the final tally (29) as the Nor'easters shut out their opponent over the closing 4:18.

Next up for both teams are conference home games. UNE (8-2 CCC) hosts Wentworth Institute of Technology (0-10 CCC) for a 5:30 p.m. league game on Wednesday, and the Monks play a Great Northeast Athletic Conference tilt versus Lasell College on Thursday.