Statistics
Highlights

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- The University of New England limited Roger Williams University to 13 first-half points to open up a 29-point advantage on its way to an impressive 68-42 Conference of New England women's basketball triumph Saturday afternoon (Jan. 31) at Coach Beaudry's Court inside the Harold Alfond Forum.

Everything was clicking in the first half for the Nor'easters, who put forth a sturdy defensive effort to limit RWU to 20 percent (5 of 25) accuracy from the floor. On the offensive end UNE lit it up, shooting a torrid 64.3 percent (18 of 28) from the floor, including 50 percent accuracy (5 of 10) from beyond the arc. No UNE player scored more than seven points over the opening 20 minutes, but a total of five had five or more points. The Nor'easters led by 10 (12-2) just 4:54 into the contest.

Up 19-7 after the first quarter, UNE (10-9, 8-2 CNE) really poured it on in the second, outscoring the Hawks by a 23-6 margin and basically put the contest out of reach to take a 42-13 cushion into the locker room. UNE dialed up a trio of makes from behind the arc in the frame, with seven different players scoring in the quarter.

The Hawks steadied themselves a bit coming out of intermission but were never able to get their deficit under 20. 

A balanced scoring attack was key to the Nor'easters' win, with Emily Picher the lone player in double figures (13 points on 5-for-7 shooting). The rookie guard also added three steals and three assists. Sydney Jenisch tallied nine points, while Gabby Soter and Maddy Werner (6 rebounds) chipped in eight apiece. 

RWU (12-8, 8-3) also had just one player to hit double digits in scoring, that being Lilli Clark with a game-best 15 points. She also added eight boards.

UNE featured a strong all-around performance to earn the victory, but its defense was truly the story. In limiting the Hawks to their second-lowest scoring total of the season, the Nor'easters forced 24 turnovers and held Roger Williams to 28.3 percent (15 of 53) accuracy from the floor on the afternoon. The win was the most lopsided over the Hawks since the 2011-12 season (78-41 on Feb. 4) and avenged a 64-52 setback in Bristol, R.I. earlier this season.

The Nor'easters will look to make it five consecutive wins Tuesday when they make the short trip down to Gordon College for a 5:30 p.m. tilt.