Box Score

DUDLEY, Mass. -- Junior Kelly Coleman registered 26 points to lead the University of New England to a 68-62 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) women's basketball win over Nichols College on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 15).

Ranked at No. 24 in the latest USA Today Division III Top 25 Coaches' Poll, the Nor'easters (21-2) won for the ninth straight outing to stay one game ahead in the CCC standings (15-1). Big Blue has now won 10 in-a-row against the Bison.

Coleman knocked down 11-of-18 shot attempts in the game for the second-highest point total of her career. She had 16 points in the 2nd half, and for the game also collected seven rebounds to go with three steals and two blocks. Sophomore Meghan Gribbin finished with 10 points and six assists. Classmate Lauren Hayden picked up six steals to solidify her position as the nation's leader in the category.

After Nichols grabbed an early lead (4-2), Big Blue went on a 10-0 run and never trailed the rest of the way. However, eight was as wide as the gap would get at any point during the day.

The hosts did manage to pull even on four occasions (15, 17, 37, and 40), as well as a 31-31 deadlock at the half.

Twice the Bison got within three (58-55, 65-62) inside the final eight minutes of the match, but could not get any closer.

In the final tally, UNE out-scored its opponent by 11 points (17-6) at the charity stripe, and 26-10 in the paint.

Nichols (11-12, 6-10 CCC) received 19 points and 12 rebounds from Amber Litwinko, while Devon Spirka contributed 13 points and six assists. Jessica Kelliher chipped in with 10 points. NC shot 47 percent from the field and 55 percent from deep in the contest, but were hampered by 25 turnovers.

The Nor'easters will look to continue their streak on Tuesday (5:30 p.m.) at Curry College.