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BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Hannah Cook and Kaia Anderson combined for 24 points off the bench to help lead the University of New England to a 74-54 victory over Suffolk University in a mutual Conference of New England (CNE) women's basketball opener Wednesday evening (Dec. 4) at Coach Beaudry's Court inside the Harold Alfond Forum.

The Nor'easters (4-4, 1-0 CNE) posted their second-highest scoring output of the season thanks in large part to 40 points from their reserves. Cook (13 points) and Anderson (11) each established career highs, combining to shoot 50 percent (7 of 14) from the floor and making all nine of their free throw attempts -- six of which came from Cook, who also grabbed six rebounds. Faye Veilleux was limited to just four minutes in the first half due to foul trouble but came on strong to finish with 10 points and eight boards, while Rachael Rooney netted a career-best nine points. 

Colby Guinta had 13 points and eight rebounds to pace the Rams (5-3, 0-1). Jordan Moreau scored 10 points and dished out six assists, and Allison Bono chipped in nine points and four steals.

Leading 25-21 with 3:23 left in the second quarter, UNE closed the half on a 13-6 run to take a 38-27 cushion into the locker room. Anderson had five points to key the spurt, which was capped by a Rooney trey at the buzzer.

The Nor'easters carried that momentum into the early stages of the third frame to forge a 50-34 lead halfway through the period, before the Rams battled back to close their deficit to six (52-46) by the end of the quarter.

UNE dominated the final stanza, however, outscoring Suffolk 22-8 to pull away for the 20-point triumph. The Nor'easters knocked down 18 of 19 free throw attempts over the final 10 minutes to secure the victory.

For the contest, UNE made 90 percent (27 of 30) of its shots from the charity stripe and out-rebounded Suffolk by a 47-36 margin. 

The Nor'easters will look to climb over the .500 mark Saturday when they make the long trip to Connecticut to take on the University of Hartford (1-5, 0-1 CNE) in a 1 p.m. contest.