Box Score

KEENE, N.H. -- Twelve of the thirteen players in uniform scored as the University of New England extended a two-point halftime lead out to a 69-47 win over SUNY Cobleskill in the opening game of the Keene State College Women's Basketball Tip-Off Tournament Friday evening at Spaulding Gymnasium.

The Nor'easters (3-0) advance to Saturday's 3 p.m. tournament final against host Keene State, a 73-64 winner over Regis College earlier in the day. Cobleskill (1-1) will meet the Pride in the consolation game at 1 p.m.

UNE stormed out of the intermission with a 13-2 spurt to grab a 45-32 lead with 13:18 left to play. The Fighting Tigers would score five-straight points in less than a minute to trim the deficit to eight (45-37), but the Nor'easters responded to close the contest on a 24-10 run.

After making 11 of their first 13 baskets, the Nor'easters held a 28-19 advantage midway through the opening frame.

Cobleskill tightened up its defense to hold the Nor'easters to just four points in the last 9:25 of the first half, cutting the UNE lead to two (32-30) at the break.

The Nor'easters shot 50.9 percent (27-for-53) from the field in the game and out-rebounded their opponents by 13 (47-34), but were plagued by 24 turnovers.

Sophomores Kari Pelletier (South Paris, Maine) and Margo Russell (Madison, Maine) scored 11 points apiece to lead UNE. Classmate Kelley Paradis (Newport, Maine) chipped in with eight. Senior Katie Diggins (Merrimack, N.H.) hauled in a team-high eight rebounds.

Kaitlyn Myers tallied 12 points for the Fighting Tigers, who went 6-for-30 (20 percent) from the floor in the second half. Chelcey Moore collected a game-high 10 boards.