KEENE, N.H. – Senior guard Sabrina LeMere (North Branford) had career-highs of ten assists and seven steals in her second start of the season as the Eastern Connectictuct State University women's basketball team remained undefeated in the Little East Conference with a 65-47 victory over Keene State College Thursday evening at Spaulding Gymnasium.
A winner of six straight overall and now 8-0 away from home this year, Eastern (10-2, 4-0 LEC) limited Keene (3-11, 2-3 LEC) to 16 points on 27 percent shooting in rolling up an 18-point, 34-16 lead at halftime, then traded baskets in the second half on the way to its tenth straight win over the Owls at Spaulding Gym and 20th in 24 games at Keene in LEC play.
Rhode Island College (12-1, 5-0 LEC) remained a half-game up on Eastern with an 82-57 road win over Western Connecticut Thursday. Eastern hosts RIC Wednesday at 4 p.m.
Ranked second in the LEC in defense, Eastern has allowed an average of only 50.3 points during its current win streak, with only one team managing as many as 60 points in that stretch.
Playing in place of sophomore point guard Julie Keckler (Trumbull), LeMere had seven assists and five steals by halftime. She also scored four points and grabbed three rebounds in 30 minutes – her second-most minutes played this year
Sophomore forward Anna Barry (Andover) led the Warriors in both scoring (13) and rebounding (11) for the first time since Nov. 23, posting her fourth double-double in six games. She also blocked three shots, giving her a conference-high 34 this year and 74 in her 40-game career. Barry had six points and six rebounds to spark Eastern to a 20-8 lead after ten minutes.
The LEC leader in three-point field goals and three-point percentage, sophomore guard Danielle O'Brien (Rockland, MA) was 3-of-7 from distance as the Warriors converted 6-of-18 from distance while Keene missed on 13 of 14 tries.
O'Brien, senior guard Lizzy Cretella (Cheshire) and freshman forward Mariah Dunn (Meriden) all added 11 points. Dunn came off the bench to grab eight rebounds.
Eastern visits Plymouth State University Saturday at 1 p.m. in a conference game at Foley Gymnasium.