Box Score

BEVERLY, Mass. -- Guard Ashley Wright hit four 3-pointers and scored 19 first-half points to help Endicott College open up a 23-point lead, and the Gulls cruised in the second half on their way to an 85-65 women's basketball victory over the University of New England on Tuesday evening at the Post Center.

The Gulls won for the ninth straight time to improve to 18-4 overall, 9-1 in The Commonwealth Coast Conference play.  UNE saw its 10-game win streak come to an end in falling to 16-6 overall and suffering its first conference setback (9-1).

Wright was on fire in the first frame, making 7 of 12 shots from the floor, including a 4-for-7 effort from beyond the arc.  

The Nor'easters hurt themselves with some poor shooting, making just 8 of 33 shots (24.2 percent) overall and misfiring on all eight three-point attempts.  Conversely, Endicott blistered the nets at a 53.1 percent clip (17 of 32) in building a 41-18 lead.

The Gulls led by as many as 28 in the second half before the Nor'easters fought back late for the final margin of 85-65.

Wright finished with a game-high 25 points in 35 minutes of floor time.  Ashley Vitale had 18 points and eight rebounds, while Nicole Duchesne contributed 14 points, eight boards and four assists.  Reserve forward Cecily Chisholm pitched in with 11 points and nine caroms.

For UNE, first-year forward Margo Russell led the way with 16 points.  Senior forward Sara Pelkey added 15 and three steals.

The Gulls were victorious despite turning the ball over 30 times.  They shot a sturdy 49.1 percent (28 of 57) from the floor and held a commanding 54-31 rebounding margin.

UNE returns to action Saturday with another tough TCCC match-up; this time at Colby-Sawyer College (3:00 p.m.).