Box Score

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Senior guard Alli Gamache (Dudley, Mass.) poured in a game-high 26 points and dished out seven assists to lead the University of New England past Eastern Nazarene College, 83-58, in The Commonwealth Coast Conference women's basketball action Wednesday evening at the Campus Center.

The Nor'easters recorded their fifth consecutive victory, improving to 11-5 overall and 4-0 in conference games.  The Crusaders have dropped eight straight contests and stand at 3-11 overall (0-4 TCCC).

UNE came out firing, converting on nine of its first 15 shot attempts to establish a 23-8 advantage midway through the first half.  Gamache accounted for 11 points during the stretch, and sophomore Chelsey Meszaros (North Clarendon, Vt.) scored five.

By halftime, Eastern Nazarene had narrowed the score to 41-30, thanks in large part to 12 points apiece from Christine Tucker (Antioch, Calif.) and Jessica Schoppee (Scarborough, Maine).  

Gamache had 17 points at the break for the Nor'easters, who registered 11 assists on 15 made field goals.  Sophomore April Mroz (Somersworth, N.H.) scored all seven of her points in the period.

The Nor'easters continued to apply full-court pressure throughout the second frame and gradually pulled away from the Crusaders.

Gamache scored all but two of her points from behind the arc, making 8 of 12 shots from long distance.  Senior Sara Pelkey (Barre, Vt.) chipped in with 13 points for UNE, while sophomore Carrie Bunnell (Barnet, Vt.) added 12.  First-year forwards Margo Russell (Madison, Maine) and Hillary Laferriere (Veazie, Maine) each pulled down nine rebounds.

Tucker and Schoppee combined for more than two-thirds of Eastern Nazarene's 58 total points, finishing the game with 21 and 20 points, respectively.  Schoppee also collected nine boards.  Victoria Sontag (Mount Vernon, N.H.) added 11 points and eight rebounds.

The Nor'easters visit Anna Maria College on Saturday for a TCCC contest.  Game time is 1:00 p.m.  The Crusaders host Regis College the same day.