BIDDEFORD, ME – University of New England (5-3) bested Saint Joseph's College (5-2), 68-57, in non-conference women's basketball action on Saturday afternoon. Senior guard Danyelle Shufelt (Sutton, Vt.) netted a career and game-high 20 points in the loss.
For the Monks, Shufelt went 6-8 from the floor and 3-3 from downtown and added six assists, also a career-best, on the afternoon. First-year center Morgan Cahill (Yarmouth, Maine) recorded her fourth double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds, junior forward Lindsay Moore (Barrington, N.H.) added 10 points on a 5-for-6 showing from the floor, and junior point guard Mackenzie Dufour (Augusta, Maine) tallied six points, five assists, five boards and a pair of steals.
For the Nor'easters, Kelly Coleman (Portland, Conn.) finished with a team-best 17 points along with 10 boards, while Beth Suggs (Bath, Maine) notched her sixth double-double of the young season with 14 points and 14 boards. Suggs has collared 11 or more rebounds in each of the Nor'easters' eight contests. First-year point guard Meghan Gribbin (Windham, Maine) added seven points and seven assists.
Leading 55-51 with just over five minutes remaining, the Nor'easters tallied the next seven points over a 1:45 span to pull away. Suggs converted from down low to start the spurt, then Coleman scored from the paint to give UNE a 59-51 lead. First-year Michaela Flanagan (Plymouth, Mass.) added a pair of free throws, and Suggs finished off the run by making 1 of 2 at the line with 3:18 on the clock.
St. Joe's would get no closer than seven (62-55) the rest of the way.
The Monks got off to a quick start, scoring 10 points in the initial 3:02 to build a 10-6 advantage. UNE responded with a 12-4 run to take the lead (18-14) for good. Big Blue led by as many as 10 (35-25) in the first frame before settling for a 38-30 halftime cushion.
For the game, UNE held a 46-38 edge on the glass, including 20 offensive rebounds. The Nor'easters also turned the ball over just 11 times, compared to 18 miscues for the Monks.
With the result, Saint Joseph's falls to 49-14 in the history of the series with University of New England. The Nor'easters have topped the Monks in nine consecutive meetings dating back to the 2004-05 season.
UNE is now idle for the winter break before returning to action January 2nd versus University of Southern Maine. Saint Joseph's wraps up first-semester action next Saturday (Dec. 15) with a road contest at Framingham State.
COURTESY OF UNE SPORTS INFORMATION
Saint Joseph's College, founded in 1912 by the Sisters of Mercy, celebrates its Centennial year in 2012 with a theme of "Realize the Promise" – honoring our commitment to educating well-rounded graduates who combine career focus with classic liberal arts studies. A Private, Catholic, primarily residential, coeducational liberal arts institution, Saint Joseph's welcomes students of all ages and all faiths. The campus, located 18 miles northwest of Portland and just two hours from Boston, encompasses 350 acres along the shore of beautiful Sebago Lake in Standish, Maine. Enrollment ranges between 1,000 and 1,100 students annually. Saint Joseph's offers challenging academic programs in the liberal arts and sciences, education, nursing and business fields in a value-centered environment.