BIDDEFORD, Maine (1/6/24) – Senior guard Abrianna Vazquez made history for the Nichols College women's basketball team on Saturday afternoon, becoming the program's all-time leader in points scored (1,498) in an 88-83 upset victory over the University of New England in conference play at Coach Beaudry's Court. 

With the win, the Bison improve to 6-6 (3-2 CCC) overall on the season, with wins in their last two matchups. The Nor'easters fall to 8-5 (3-2 CCC) with the loss. For the Bison, it was their first triumph over the Nor'easters since February 23th, 2008. 

Vazquez hit her career milestone with 25 points on the afternoon, along with seven rebounds and four steals through 27 minutes played. Fellow senior Summer Klein matched Vazquez's 25 points on 9-of-14 (64.3%) shooting, additionally notching five rebounds with a match-high seven steals. Graduate Leandra Ortiz and sophomore Adrianna Romano each scored 10 points, while the team finished with 44% (33-of-75) success from the field. 

After jumping out to a 9-6 advantage, the Bison went off on a 10-3 run across a two-minute span in the late stages of the first quarter, culminating in a layup from Rylee Barrieault to increase their lead to 17-9. The Nor'easters narrowed the difference slightly with three points from the free throw line, but still trailed Nichols entering the second quarter by a 18-12 score.

The Nor'easters spent the first half of the second quarter cutting into the Bison lead, ultimately tying the score at 23-all with 5:43 remaining. At 3:16, a three-pointer by Ortiz spearheaded a 9-0 run by the Bison which re-established their lead at 36-27. However, the Nor'easters remained determined to keep the score close, and pulled to within one of the Bison by halftime at 38-37.

UNE took their first lead of the contest 1:24 into the third at 42-40, but saw it slip back into the Bison's hands as the visitors went on a 9-2 run, bringing the score to 49-44. Nichols then stretched their lead to 54-46 as Summer Klein scored their final nine points of the quarter, helping the Bison along to a 58-51 lead entering the final frame.

The final quarter was all about lead preservation for the Bison, but it didn't come easily. After the Bison expanded their lead to 80-68, the Nor'easters battled back to trail by one point at 83-82 with 00:25 left in the action. As time slowly ticked away, Nichols received a boost with some free throws, emerging victorious by the 88-83 final score.

Nichols will look to keep the streak alive on the road in their next matchup at Endicott College (6-5, 3-2 CCC) Tuesday, January 9^th at 5:30