Box Score

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- The University of New England limited Bates College to 18 percent shooting (6 for 32) in the opening period while getting out to a 20-point halftime cushion, on the way to a 69-47 non-conference women's basketball victory on Monday evening (Jan. 13) at the Harold Alfond Forum.

Winners of seven straight, the Nor'easters improve to 11-1 on the year. The result ends a string of close contests between the teams, as the previous four meetings (2 wins each) had been decided by a combined total of five points.

Big Blue junior Kelly Coleman led the way for the hosts with 19 points -- 15 of which came in the 2nd half -- and game-best 11 rebounds. Sophomore Lauren Hayden went 8-of-11 from the field for 16 points, and added seven boards along with three steals. Classmate Meghan Gribbin contributed eight points and five assists.

UNE finished on top of a 47-28 margin on the glass, and had a 34-10 points advantage in the paint.

Bates (7-7) received a match-high 24 points from senior guard Meredith Kelly, who registered her 1,000th career point just a few minutes into the night, becoming the 19th player in Bobcats history to reach the milestone. She also totaled a team-high eight rebounds and picked up three steals.

Aside from Kelly, the visitors struggled to find the range against the UNE defense, converting under 30 percent from the floor as a team and making just 5-of-25 tries from long distance.

Big Blue never trailed in the game, and was ahead 26-16 with six minutes left in the initial frame before ending the half on a 12-2 run to go up 38-18. Gribbin knocked down both of her three-pointers in the stretch.

The margin never dipped below 15 points during the final 20 minutes.

Both squads resume league play in their next outings. UNE heads to Gordon College for a 7:30 p.m. contest on Wednesday, while Bates is set to host Trinity College (Conn.) on Friday (6 p.m.).