Statistics

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Colby College overcame a 12-point, 3rd quarter deficit and hung on to edge the University of New England women's basketball team by a 61-60 margin on the opening day of the 2021 Nor'easter Tip-Off Classic at Coach Beaudry's Court inside the Harold Alfond Forum on Saturday (Nov. 13).

After the Nor'easters posted the initial four points coming out of halftime, the Mules rattled off a 14-2 run in less than three minutes to square things up (28-28). A pair of three-pointers later by Keagan Dunbar pushed the visitors in front (40-36), however UNE finished the frame with a 41-40 advantage.

The lead shifted back and forth at the start of the 4th, until Caroline Smith bookended a 6-0 spurt that set Colby ahead, 55-49, with 2:34 to go. Both sides missed opportunities to either extend the cushion (Colby) or cut into the difference (UNE) down the stretch. It was still four (57-53) nearing the final minute when Jordyn Franzen pulled the hosts to within two, but a free miss and Dunbar layup on the other end restored the spread. Madalyn Sanborn sank two at the line (59-57), and the Mules came up empty on two freebies with 19 seconds remaining, but UNE's running jumper to tie in the waning ticks spun out.

Colby secured the rebound and Smith converted both free throws to all but put it out of reach (61-57) with 2.7 on the clock. Abby Cavallaro hit a corner trey just before the final buzzer to complete the scoring.

Dunbar paced the Mules (1-0) with 16 points that included four triples. Adaobi Nebuwa added 12 points and nine boards, while Smith closed with nine points, six rebounds, and four steals. Carter McGloon and Jana Berry each contributed eight in the points column, and supported with five steals and four caroms, respectively.

Franzen amassed a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds for UNE, and Kaylee Beyor also scored 14 on 7-of-12 shooting. Cavallaro had 12 points and three steals, and Sanborn chipped in with nine points.

Colby shot 55 percent from the field following intermission, recovering from a woeful 20 percent (6-of-30) during the opening half. The visitors also netted 23 points off 24 UNE turnovers, helping to negate the 42-36 rebounding edge held by the Nor'easters.

The game went more than five minutes without a point after the tip, and the squads were a combined 4-of-31 from the floor in the 1st period. Beyor registered a quick six to begin the 2nd -- part of a 13-1 stretch that established a 15-6 UNE lead, and the margin favored the hosts by one less (22-14) at the midway mark.

Later in the afternoon, No.13 Bowdoin College was just two points up on Nazaeth College at the break (21-19) -- making just 7-of-31 shot attempts -- but ran away to a 65-44 victory.

Sunday's action, in the Classic format, will feature Colby and Nazareth at 1 p.m. and the the Nor'easters versus the Polar Bears at 3 p.m.