Nor'easters stymie Seahawks, 58-43

NEWPORT, R.I. -- The University of New England women's basketball team held Salve Regina University scoreless for more than 11 minutes in the first half en route to a 58-43 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) win Saturday afternoon (Feb. 7) at the Rodgers Recreation Center.

The Nor'easters remain in first place in the CCC standings by improving their conference record to 13-1 and 17-4 overall. Salve Regina falls to 11-10, 8-6 in league play. University of New England has won its last eight meetings with the Seahawks.

Senior Kelly Coleman (Portland, Conn.) scored 11 of her game-high 17 points after halftime to lead the way for UNE. She moved into sixth place on UNE's career scoring list, surpassing Michele (Plant) Higgins '01. Coleman now has 1,356 points over her four-year career.

Sophomore Alicia Brown (Greenland, N.H.) tallied 10 points in the first half and finished with 14 to go with nine rebounds and five blocked shots for the Nor'easters, while Alanna Vose (Cushing, Maine) came off the bench to score 10 points. Lauren Hayden (Chantilly, Va.) had nine boards and five assists, and Brooke Flaherty (Portland, Maine) grabbed eight caroms for UNE, which held a 48-34 advantage in the rebounding column.

Junior Meaghan Harden (Sandwich, Mass.) tallied 14 points to pace the Seahawks. She now has 1,436 points in three years to rank third on the school's all-time scoring list. Senior Brianna Del Valle (Belchertown, Mass.) contributed 13 points and nine rebounds, while Allyson Esielionis (Shirley, Mass.) chipped in 12 points.

After Salve Regina established a slim 4-3 lead in the opening minutes, the Nor'easters went on a 12-2 run to take the lead for good. Brown and Hayden each scored four points during the spurt, which culminated with a Vose three-pointer to give UNE a 15-6 lead at the 14:13 mark.

The Seahawks closed the gap to five (17-12) a minute later, but UNE would hold the hosts scoreless over the ensuing 11:14 on its way to a 28-14 lead at intermission.

Salve Regina got as close as seven (39-32) midway through the second frame before the visitors responded with a 10-3 surge to get the lead back up to 14 at 49-35. Coleman and Vose combined for all 10 points during the run to help put the game out of reach.

UNE returns to action Wednesday with a 7:30 p.m. contest at Gordon College; Salve Regina also travels for its second meeting of the season with Eastern Nazarene College.