Box Score

PAXTON, Mass. -- First-year forward Hillary Laferriere (Veazie, Maine) came off the bench to score 15 points and pull down 12 rebounds, leading the University of New England to a 79-35 The Commonwealth Coast Conference women's basketball victory over Anna Maria College Saturday afternoon at the Fuller Activities Center.

The Nor'easters have now won six straight contests to improve to 12-5 overall (5-0 TCCC).  Losers of seven consecutive games, the Amcats fall to 3-13 on the season (0-5 TCCC).

Leading 18-8 with 12:41 remaining in the first half, UNE used a 15-0 run over the next seven minutes to seize control of the game.  The Nor'easters went into halftime with 44-14 advantage.

First-year Margo Russell (Madison, Maine) tallied all nine of her points before the break, while classmates Kari Pelletier (South Paris, Maine) and Laferriere had six points apiece.  UNE shot 51.9 percent (14-for-27) from the floor in the opening frame and out-rebounded its opponent by a 26-6 margin.

The final result was never in question during the second half as the vistors gradually increased their lead.

The Nor'easters made it to the free throw line 41 times during the game, 30 attempts more than Anna Maria.  For the game, UNE also held a 50-19 rebounding edge.

Sophomore Chelsey Meszaros (North Clarendon, Vt.) contributed 12 points to the winning cause, and senior Alli Gamache (Dudley, Mass.) added 11.  Russell also hauled in 10 boards.  In all, seven UNE players scored at least eight points. 

Samantha Ashton scored 10 points for Anna Maria, which is off until Thursday when it visits Curry College.  The Amcats struggled shooting the ball throughout the game, only managing 26 percent (13-for-50) from the field.

UNE begins a four-game homestand Thursday when Regis College comes to Biddeford.  Game time is set for 6:00 p.m.