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BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Junior Kelly Coleman had a team-high 16 points to lead the University of New England Nor'easters to a hard-fought 66-62 win over rival University of Southern Maine in non-conference women's basketball action Tuesday evening (Nov. 19) at the Harold Alfond Forum.

The victory improves the Nor'easters' undefeated mark to 3-0, while the loss drops the Huskies to 2-1 in the early going. UNE has won five of the last six meetings with USM, which is ranked 21st nationally in the most recent USA Today/Women's Basketball Coaches Association Division III Poll.

First-year center Alicia Brown (Greenland, N.H.) contributed 11 points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots for UNE, while sophomore guard Alana Vose (Cushing, Maine) had 11 points, six boards and three assists. Classmate Sadie DiPierro (South Portland, Maine) added seven points, five assists and a pair of steals.

For the Huskies senior guard Erin McNamara (West Newbury, Mass.) scored a game-high 20 points, including three 3-pointers. Sophomore forward Megan Pelletier (Winslow, Maine) chipped in 15 points, six caroms and four assists, while junior forward Rebecca Knight (Alfred, Maine) added 10 points and eight rebounds.

The game was tight throughout, with neither team owning a lead of more than six points at any time during the contest.

With the score tied at 57-57 and just under two minutes remaining, Coleman made 1 of 2 free throws to give UNE the lead for good.

Coleman would follow with a layup with 1:19 on the clock to put the Nor'easters up by three (60-57) before Pelletier made 1 of 2 at the free throw line to get the Huskies back to within two (60-58) with just over a minute remaining.

On UNE's next trip up the floor, Brown knocked down an elbow jumper with 0:47 remaining to give Big Blue some breathing room. Southern Maine turned the ball over on its next possession, and DiPierro made 1 of 2 at the line to make the lead five (63-58).

USM would cut the Nor'easters' lead to three (63-60) on a layup by Pelletier with 0:14 remaining, but that was as close at the Huskies would get.

It appeared as USM might come out on top when it led 55-50 on a Pelletier free throw with 4:06 left.

UNE tallied the next seven points, as Coleman sandwiched a trey and a pair of free throws around two freebies by Brown to help Big Blue seize momentum.

The first half was a struggle offensively for both squads. Southern Maine and UNE combined for 27 turnovers and just 31 percent shooting from the floor. The Nor'easters led 25-22 at the break.

For the game UNE shot 43.1 percent (22 of 51) from the floor, compared to 33.3 percent (21 of 63) accuracy for the visitors. The Nor'easters held a 43-34 cushion on the glass, which helped overcome 29 turnovers.

Big Blue has little time recover from the grueling win, as Colby College comes to Biddeford tomorrow evening for a 7 p.m. game.

The Huskies open Little East Conference play Saturday (Nov. 23) when they host Keene State at 1 p.m.


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