Box Score

(story courtesy University of Southern Maine)

GORHAM, Maine  – Junior guard Nicole Paradis exploded for a career-high 29 points to lead the University of Southern Maine Huskies to a 77-57 win over the University of New England Nor'easters in a non-conference women's basketball game Tuesday night at Warren G. Hill Gymnasium in Gorham, Maine.

Winning their season opener for the 18th consecutive season the Huskies start their 2008-2009 campaign at 1-0.  The loss evens the Nor'easters record at 1-1. 

Southern Maine shook off a shaky start, leading the Nor'easters narrowly 27-24 at the half, to score 50 points in the second stanza and roll away with the win. Paradis was 9-for-15 from the field and 3-for-5 from three-point range to lead all scorers.  The 5-4 guard tallied 21 of her career-best total in the second half, shooting a near perfect 6-for-7 from the field and perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line to lead four USM players in double figures. 

Senior forward Stacey Kent scored 15 points, grabbed eight rebounds and passed off four assists, while sophomore guard Kaylie DeMillo chipped in with 11 points and a career-best six steals.  Sophomore forward Kristi Violette notched her first collegiate double-double with 10 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.  

UNE first-year guards Kari Pelletier and Kelley Paradis each scored 11 points to pace the Nor'easters.  First-year forwards Margo Russell and Hillary Laferriere both tossed in eight points, while Russell nabbed a team-high seven rebounds. 

Leading by five, 40-35, with 13:20 to play, Southern Maine took control of the game with a 10-0 run over the span of four minutes to pull ahead of the Nor'easters 50-35.  Paradis scored six points in the run, while DeMillo and junior forward Haley Johnson each added a bucket. The Nor'easter were never able to recover from the Huskies surge managing only to cut their deficit to 13 on a pair of free throws from Pelletier with 1:51 on the clock.

Southern Maine finished the game shooting 40.6 percent (26-for-64) from the field and 43.8 percent (7-for-16) from three-point range.  The Huskies were also steady from the free throw line sinking 18-of-22 attempts (81.8 percent).  UNE shot 32.8 percent (19-for-58) from the field, including a 5-for-27 mark from three-point range.

Southern Maine returns to action on Friday (7:30 p.m.) when it hosts its USM Tip-Off Tournament.  The Huskies will face in-state rival UMaine Farmington in the late game.  UNE will face SUNY-Potsdam on Friday (5:00 p.m.) at the Keene State College Tournament.