Statistics
BOSTON – Suffolk used a third-quarter push to erase an early deficit and defeat the University of New England women's basketball team, 59-52, in Tuesday evening's Conference of New England matchup on Smith Court.
The Rams (10-8, 5-6 CNE) trailed 26-18 at halftime before outscoring the Nor'easters, 21-6, during the third quarter and leading wire-to-wire in the fourth.
Colby Guinta scored a game-high 15 points, including 11 in the second half to guide a balanced Suffolk offense down the stretch.
Sydney Jenisch led UNE in the scoring column, which she has done in three of the last four games, with 14 points.
Ella Karavanic scored nine points in the fourth quarter to finish with a career-high 12.
The Rams enjoyed a strong showing at the free throw line, hitting 17 of their 22 attempts, and were nearly perfect (11-for-12) in the fourth quarter to close out the victory. Neither side saw much success from the perimeter, combining to shoot 8-for-36 from 3-point range.
Jenisch drained a triple on the first shot attempt of the evening to kickstart the Nor'easters' strong start, while Suffolk was held scoreless until the 4:12 mark of the first quarter, helping UNE build a 12-6 lead entering the second stanza of what was shaping up to be a defensive battle.
The Nor'easters used a 10-1 run early in the second to grab a 22-10 advantage, which matched the largest lead of the game for either side, before going into the half with an eight-point edge. Suffolk quickly came within one possession in the third quarter, and led for the first time midway through the frame with Allison Bono's bucket, part of a 13-0 run that gave the Rams a 39-31 lead.
UNE was within one possession at several points during the fourth quarter, including a 49-47 Suffolk lead with just over two minutes to go, but the Rams were able to seal the win with perfect free throw shooting during the final minutes while coming up with key defensive stops.
UNE is lined up to travel to Western New England for a 1 p.m. tip-off on Saturday, Feb. 1 before returning home for two straight, starting with Endicott on Wednesday, Feb. 5.
