Box Score

STANDISH, Maine -- Trailing by one after 20 minutes of play, the University of New England shot 51.7 percent (15-for-29) from the field in the second half to pull away from Saint Joseph's College to a 66-42 victory in non-conference women's basketball action Sunday at the Harold Alfond Center.

Down 23-22 to the Monks at the break, the Nor'easters gained two points over the first 8:20 of the final period to lead by one (34-33). From there, UNE went on a 27-3 run across the next 9:16 to put the game out of reach. Sophomore Kelley Paradis (Newport, Maine) led the way during the spurt with eight points -- one of eight players to score in the stretch.

Saint Joseph's suffered from 26.1 percent (6 of 23) shooting in the second stanza, as the UNE lead ballooned to as many as 25 points.

Both teams started slow early in the contest, as a Paradis three-pointer gave the visitors an 11-7 cushion at the 10:27 mark of the opening frame.

A 13-4 run gave the Monks a 20-15 lead with 1:34 left in the first half, but the Nor'easters were able to close the deficit to one by intermission.

Paradis -- the only UNE player in double figures -- tallied a game-high 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting to go with four boards and three assists. Senior Katie Diggins (Merrimack, N.H.), sophomore Margo Russell (Madison, Maine), and first-year Michelle Williams (South Berwick, Maine) each chipped in with eight points.

Diggins also collected a team-high six rebounds for the Nor'easters (1-0), who defeated the Monks for the sixth straight season. Sophomore Kari Pelletier (South Paris, Maine) dished out five helpers and matched Williams with three steals.

For Saint Joseph's (0-1), senior Allison Miner (Pembroke, N.H.) scored 10 points and had five rebounds. Junior Casey Blake (Lebanon, N.H.) added eight points, and sophomores Ashley Geel (St. George, Maine) and Allie Parent (Camden, Maine) both contributed seven points while combining for 14 caroms.

Senior Carolyn Freeman (Scarborough, Maine) equaled Geel's team-high eight boards for the Monks, who out-rebounded their opponents, 37-29. However, the hosts were plagued by 25 turnovers and 29.8 percent (14-for-47) shooting from the field for the game.

UNE has its home-opener Tuesday against the University of Southern Maine -- the nation's 13th-ranked team. Tip-off for the game, which can be seen live at http://athletics.une.edu/sports/2009/8/25/gen_all_access_packages.aspx, is 6 p.m.

Saint Joseph's is at the Colby College Tournament on Friday, squaring off with Thomas College at 7:30 p.m.