Late first-half flurry sinks Nor'easters at Nichols

February 23, 2008 - 06:34 PM

The Nor'easters were ice-cold in the first half, making just four field goals and shooting 17 percent

The Bison outscore UNE 21-5 over the final 8:39 of the opening half on their way to a 70-56 win

DUDLEY, Mass. -- In The Commonwealth Coast Conference women's basketball action, the Nichols College Bison ended the first half on a 21-5 run to take control of a tight game on their way to a 70-56 victory over the University of New England Saturday afternoon.

The game was the final regular-season contest for both squads. Nichols heads to next week's TCCC Tournament with an overall record of 19-6 (11-2 TCCC), while the Nor'easters conclude their regular season at 13-12 (7-6).

With the score tied at 13-all, the Nor'easters' offense fell out of sync, enabling Nichols to tally 21 of the final 26 points of the frame to open up a 34-18 advantage at intermission. UNE went without a field goal the final 10:17 of the frame while committing six turnovers over the closing eight minutes. Bison guard Lyndsey Bennett '10 (North Brookfield, Mass.) scored eight points--including a pair of 3-pointers--during that span.

The Nor'easters made just 4 of 24 (16.7 percent) of their field goal attempts in the first period to fall behind, 34-18.

Nichols would control play in the second half, maintaining a double-digit advantage the rest of the way. The Bison got to the free throw line 17 times after halftime and were 21-for-28 (75.0 percent) at the line for the game.

Curtia Humbert '10 (Bridgeport, Conn.) played a strong all-around game for the winners, contributing 13 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks and two steals. Point guard MaryLynn Skarzenski '09 (Woodbridge, N.J.) had 11 points, six boards and six assists, while Bennett finished with a trio of 3-pointers and 11 points.

#Katie Diggins# '10 (Merrimack, N.H.) and #Chelsey Meszaros# '11 (North Clarendon, Vt.) scored nine points apiece to lead the UNE offense. Diggins dragged down a game-high 11 rebounds and Meszaros added six.

The Bison secured the third seed for the TCCC Tournament and will host Regis College in one quarterfinal game. No. 7 UNE will head to Springfield, Mass. for an opening-round tilt with No. 2 Western New England College (6:00 p.m. start).

(posted Feb. 26, 2008 | 20:00 ET)