Nor'easters storm back against Seahawks

NEWPORT, R.I. - Senior forward Beth Suggs (Bath, Maine) scored a game-high 19 points as University of New England women's basketball (4-1; 2-0 CCC) stormed from behind to defeat Salve Regina University (1-3; 0-2 CCC), 67-52, in a Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) matchup at the Rodgers Recreation Center.

Seahawk freshman guard Laura Miller (Thomaston, Conn.) gave Salve Regina its largest first-half lead (24-14) when she sank her only basket of the game at 8:31 left in the period. The Nor'easters finished the half on a 14-7 run to close within three points. Suggs had two layups during that run, the last one pulling UNE within three, 27-24, with 2:40 left. But Salve Regina scored the next four points and seemed poised for at least a seven-point advantage before intermission.

Senior Liz LeBlanc (Jay, Maine) scored a basket with 35 seconds left and then Lauren Hayden (Chantilly, Va.) converted a LeBlanc steal into a basket as time expired in the half with Salve Regina leading 31-28.

Suggs scored eight of her team's first dozen points in the next frame, including a pair of free throws at 13:27 that gave University of New England its first lead (38-36) since LeBlanc's 3-pointer at 16:20 in the first. The Nor'easters used a 31-5 run from the last minute of the first half to build their largest lead of the game (19 points at 55-36; 8:24 remaining in 2nd).

Freshman Meaghan Harden (Sandwich, Mass.) started an 8-0 run for the Seahawks that pulled them within 11 points, 55-44. Brianna Del Valle (Belchertown, Mass.) had two of her baskets in that stretch. Junior Marissa Pendergast (Medfield, Mass.) sank a pair of free throws as well.

Sophomore Kelly Coleman (Portland, Conn.) joined Suggs in double-figure scoring for the Nor'easters with 14 points. Both grabbed 10 rebounds apiece to top all players.

Pendergast led the Seahawks with 11 points, making seven of eight free throw attempts. Harden finished with 10 points. Del Valle led Salve Regina with eight rebounds.

UNE plays a pair of in-state rivals in its next two games - at Bates on Tuesday and hosting Colby in Biddeford on Thursday. Salve Regina hosts its next three opponents in the Rodgers Recreation Center, all non-league contests, beginning with Rhode Island College on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.