DARTMOUTH, Mass. –  Career milestones for senior Alicia Kutil (Franklin, Mass.) and junior Nakira Examond (New Bedford, Mass.) put the stamp on the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's 95-65 victory over visiting Western Connecticut on Saturday. Kutil recorded her 1,000^th career point in the win, with Examond pouring in a single-game program record 41 points as the Corsairs cruised in LEC competition.

The Basics

Scores: UMass Dartmouth 95, Western Connecticut 65
Records: UMass Dartmouth 6-2, 2-0 LEC | Western Connecticut 4-3, 0-2 LEC

How it Happened

Kutil became the 11^th member of UMass Dartmouth's 1,000-point club, and the first since former teammate Megan Ronaghan achieved the mark in the 2015-16 season. The senior captain finished with 26 points to compliment Examond's 41 on an 18-of-27 performance from the field. That mark by the junior forward bested the 31-year record of 39 points, recorded by Cathy Johnson against Clark University on Feb. 15, 1986.

UMass Dartmouth sprinted out to 27-11 lead at the completion of the first quarter as Examond dropped in 11 for the Corsairs to lead the fast-break spree for the hosts. With 4:26 left in the opening frame, Kutil put in her milestone point, pulling down an offensive rebound and sending her shot back to the bucket for the feat. 

In the second quarter, the Corsairs offense opened up a 50-23 lead, as the full-court press of the Colonials resulted in additional fast-break Corsair opportunities and chances up close. At the halftime break, Examond had already totaled 20 points to lead the team.

In the second half, Examond continued to dictate the scoring as she put in 21 more during the final two quarters of action, setting a new-program mark and tying this season's NCAA Division III single-game high in the process. 

Western Connecticut managed to string together a strong fourth quarter, outscoring the Corsairs 27-10 as the Colonials' Jessica Davis (Hamden, Conn.) and Genesis Torres (Stratford, Conn.) combined for 11 in the final 20 minutes of action. In the final stanza, the Colonials shot a game-best 44 percent from the field. 

Inside the Numbers

• UMass Dartmouth's quick play down the court was tough to match, as the Corsairs finished with 30 fast-break points, 74 points in the paint and 41 points off turnovers.
• Examond rounded out her line with a game-high 13 rebounds for her third double-double of the season, with Kutil chipping in seven boards. The Corsairs maintained a 59-45 advantage on the glass.
• The paint play was fueled by the Corsairs starting guard duo of Chelsea Houlihan (Wolcott, Conn.) and Leah Douty (Framingham, Mass.), both of whom registered six assists.
• Examond ties Division III's highest scoring total so far this season, sharing the mark with Eureka's Hayley Reneau.
• The Corsairs have now taken the past three meetings with the Colonials and the past two at home.

Up Next

UMass Dartmouth looks to make it three-straight wins with a quick turnaround, hosting Johnson & Wales for a 6 p.m. start. Western Connecticut will host Mt. St. Mary's next Saturday beginning at 2 p.m.