Courtesy of UNE Sports Information Office
BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Forward Katie Diggins '10
(Merrimack, N.H.) scored 16 of her career-high 23 points in the
second half, and the University of New England rallied late for a
65-54 non-conference women's basketball victory over Saint Joseph's
College on Thursday evening at the Campus Center.
Trailing 51-45 with 10 minutes remaining, the Nor'easters would
hold the Monks scoreless over the next 6:16 while stringing
together nine points. Marissa Hesketh '08 (Tolland, Conn.) and
Diggins started the run with consecutive layups to pull UNE within
two (51-49).
Guard Alli Gamache '09 (Dudley, Mass.) put the hosts ahead (52-51)
to stay when she drilled a three-pointer from the left corner at
the 4:51 mark. She extended the lead to 54-51, taking a long pass
from Sheena Weston '07 (Dixfield, Maine) for a contested layup.
The Monks answered right away, sandwiching a layup and free throw
by Megan Farrell '08 (Abington, Mass.) around a
foul shot by Diggins to pull within one (55-54).
UNE (10-12) would score the final 10 points of the contest over the
last 1:28. Sara Pelkey '09 (Barre, Vt.) came up with a key
offensive rebound and putback to give the Nor'easters a 57-54 lead,
The winners would salt the game away by making 8 of 10 free throw
attempts over the last 1:01.
St. Joe's started slowly--falling behind 9-2 early--before using a
10-2 run to assume the lead. The two teams would go back-and-forth
the remainder of the frame. Carolyn Freeman '10
(Scarborough, Maine) converted a St. Joe's steal into a layup at
the buzzer to give the Monks a 30-28 lead at intermission.
Diggins was 8-for-11 and added a game-high 13 rebounds to record
her second double-double in the last three games. Pelkey posted a
double-double of her own with 13 points and 10 boards. Gamache
supported by tossing in three 3-pointers on her way to 11
points.
Guard Alysn Ludwig '09 (Waldoboro, Maine) had 13
points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals for the Monks
(8-13). Farrell finished with 11 points, including a 7-for-11
performance at the free throw line.
St. Joe's is off until February 17 when it plays host to UMaine
Fort Kent at 12 noon.
