BRISTOL, R.I. — Roger Williams University shot a blistering 54 percent from the floor for the game and scored the final 17 points on its way to an 80-59 win over University of New England in Commonwealth Coast Conference women’s basketball action Saturday afternoon at the Campus Recreation Center.
The setback ends UNE’s 32-game regular-season win streak versus CCC competition, with Big Blue’s last non-playoff conference loss coming to Salve Regina University on Jan. 28, 2012.
Senior Kaitlyn Bovee posted game highs with 22 points and 13 rebounds to pace the Hawks (12-3, 7-1 CCC). She became RWU’s career scoring leader in the second half, eclipsing the previous mark of 1,370 held by Kristin Gaynor ”˜04. Bovee also finished with three assists and four blocked shots.
Roger Williams also received a strong performance from junior Amanda Keane, who scored 19 points on a 9-for-11 shooting performance off the bench.
Sophomore Lauren Hayden led UNE (12-2, 7-1) with 15 points, while junior Kelly Coleman and first-year Brooke Flaherty tallied 14 apiece. Flaherty’s 14 points established a career high.
Leading by four (63-59) with 5:50 to play, Roger Williams held the Nor’easters scoreless the rest of the way. During that stretch, Bovee and Keane combined for 12 of RWU’s 17 consecutive points.
The hosts got off to a quick start, forging a 9-0 lead just over three minutes into the contest. The two teams would trade baskets over the next few minutes, and the Hawks led 21-11 midway through the half before UNE fought back to take a 25-23 advantage with 4:56 on the clock. Sophomore Alanna Vose had three field goals to help fuel the spurt.
The Hawks were able to seize a bit of momentum from there, finishing the stanza with a 15-10 run to take a 38-35 cushion at intermission.
For the game, Roger Williams made 32 of 59 attempts from the floor. The Hawks controlled the backboards (39-25), including 17 offensive caroms which helped lead to 15 second-chance points and 36 points in the paint.
After surrendering their eight-game win streak, the Nor’easters will look to regain their winning ways when they host Curry College on Tuesday. Tip-off time at the Harold Alfond Forum is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Men’s Ice Hockey
UNE 4, Skidmore 2
BIDDEFORD — The University of New England men’s ice hockey squad never trailed on the way to a 4-2 ECAC East League victory over Skidmore College on Saturday afternoon at the Harold Alfond Forum.
With two wins in a league weekend for the first time this season, the Nor’easters (4-7-0 ECAC East) improve to 7-10-1 overall. The seven triumphs set a new single-season program record.
The Thoroughbreds (6-7-5) fall for the third time in four outings, and sit at 2-5-4 in ECAC East action.
UNE took the lead in the first period when first-year Trevor Fleurent put one past Skidmore starting goalie Jack McDonald.
The visitors tied things midway through the second frame on the power play, as Ondrej Krajnak redirected a shot at the right post off passes from Marc Cibelli and Vlad Gavrik.
But less than two minutes later, UNE junior Patrick Borer sent a drive from the blue line through a crowd in front to put the hosts back on top for good.
With four minutes to play in the middle stanza, sophomore Tom Gildersleeve made it 3-1 Nor’easters, firing one from the left boards just inside the near post.
Skidmore managed to cut the deficit in half moments into the third period, when Anthony Bird carried the puck from the left corner into the middle and put back the rebound off his initial shot.
Zach Lokey scored an insurance goal for the second time in as many days.
Junior Colby Drost turned in 31 saves for UNE, which heads to Vermont next weekend for dates with No. 5 Norwich University and Saint Michael’s College.
Women’s Ice Hockey
Franklin Pierce 3, UNE 1
BIDDEFORD — Franklin Pierce University scored three times in the second period to break open a scoreless game on its way to a 3-1 victory over University of New England in non-league women’s ice hockey action Saturday evening at the Harold Alfond Forum.
A night after dropping UNE 5-2 on its home ice, the Ravens completed the sweep to improve their record to 14-2-1. UNE now stands at 5-9-3.
After a scoreless first period, Franklin Pierce opened the scoring at 7:03 of the middle frame. First-year Marisa Ketterman took a pass from sophomore Francesca Paciello and pushed home a shot from close range.
The Ravens doubled their lead while down a skater on a goal by sophomore Hayley Arnold.
Franklin Pierce added another less than four minutes later.
It appeared as if the Ravens would keep UNE scoreless until first-year Melissa Boudreau converted late in the game for her first collegiate goal.
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