DUDLEY, Mass. - The Nichols College women's basketball team suffered a 65-36 setback to the University of New England on Saturday afternoon in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action in Dudley, Mass.
 
The Bison drop to 3-18 overall and 1-13 in the CCC, while the Nor'easters improve to 16-5 and 12-2 in league games. Nichols returns to action on Wednesday night when they travel to Salve Regina University for a 5:30 p.m. matchup.
 
Freshman Beth Laing recorded a new career-high with 11 points to go with four rebounds to lead the Bison. Senior Brooke Packard added nine points and four rebounds of her own, while classmate Allison Cerrato had six points, four rebounds, and a pair of assists. Freshman Shannon St. Lawrence pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds, while junior Mekaela Fithian-Giantonio chipped in six points and three assists.
 
UNE was paced by 22 points and five rebounds from sophomore Jocelyn Chaput. Classmate Ashley Coneys added 13 points and seven rebounds, while senior Olivia Shaw just missed a double-double with nine points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and four steals.
 
Nichols ended the game shooting 31.1% (14-of-45) from the field, including 30.8% (4-of-13) of its three-pointers and 44.4% (4-of-9) of its free throws. The Nor'easters shot 39/1% (25-of-64) from the floor while hitting 20.8% (5-of-24) of their threes and 58.8% (10-of-17) of their free throws. UNE won the rebounding battle, 43-34, and committed only 13 turnovers to 24 for the Bison.
 
It was a slow start for both teams as a bucket from Brooke Packard were the only points on the scoreboard through the 6:33 mark of the first quarter. After UNE took the lead on a layup from Jocelyn Chaput, Packard converted again on the break to put the Bison back in front 4-3 with 5:33 to play. Beth Laing ended a 10-0 run by the Nor'easters with her first basket of the game, but UNE took a 20-9 lead into the second quarter.
 
UNE controlled play in the second period, outscoring Nichols 21-6 in the frame to take a 41-15 lead into the break. Chaput scored seven points in the quarter, while Olivia Shaw added six of her own to pace the Nor'easters. 
 
Packard scored the opening five points of the second half for Nichols, but the Nor'easters took a 51-20 lead with 5:06 remaining in the quarter. A 4-0 run by Allison Cerrato pulled the Bison to 51-25, and she scored the final basket of the period to make it a 53-27 deficit headed into the final period.
 
A Beth Laing layup with 3:45 remaining in the game would keep it a 60-33 game, but the Nor'Easters would pull out the 65-36 victory.
 
All-Time Series
Nichols and UNE have met 29 times in the all-time series and the Nor'easters lead the matchup 24-5.