AMHERST, Mass. – Shaina Pollack secured a game-high 18 points as Amherst snapped Bowdoin’s 21-game NESCAC tournament winning streak with a 71-47 decision in conference semifinals action Saturday afternoon.

The Polar Bears (18-8) couldn’t find their stride, falling behind 14-0 just seven minutes into the contest. Pollack scored 10 straight points in the spurt, including consecutive 3-pointers to give the Jeffs (24-2) the early edge.

Jill Anelauskas and Alexa Kaubris were the leading scorers for Bowdoin with nine points apiece. The Polar Bears committed 19 turnovers for the game and connected on just three 3-pointers, tying their season low.

Eastern Connecticut 65, Southern Maine 60

GORHAM – Senior guard Nicky Morey scored a game-high 21 points, sinking 11-for-13 free throws, including 5-of-6 in overtime, to lead Eastern Connecticut State University to a 65-60 overtime win over the University of Southern Maine in the championship game of the 2008 Little East Conference Women’s Basketball Championship Saturday afternoon.

Morey’s 21 points led three Eastern Connecticut players in double digits. Freshman guard Jessica Moriarty scored 15 points on an outstanding 5-for-7 effort from the field and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.

Softball

Bates drops pair

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Bates College dropped a pair of games in the Beach Blast at Virginia Wesleyan University on Saturday, losing to Davis & Elkins 7-2 before suffering a 9-5 defeat at the hands of Peace College.

The Bobcats (0-4) managed only three hits in the first game and plated both of their runs in the fifth inning when sophomore Liz Stahler and junior Val Beckwith each had hits and scored. In the second game of the day, Peace College scored two runs in the second and one in the third before chalking up five runs in the fourth. The Cougars tacked on one more run in the fifth.

Men’s basketball

Bowdoin 65, Amherst 64

BRUNSWICK – A breakaway layup by Jordan Fliegel on a crucial late game turnover resulted in the eventual game-winning field goal as Bowdoin held on for a 65-64 triumph over Amherst in the semifinals of the NESCAC tournament on Saturday.

The Polar Bears (21-5) maintained a double-digit advantage with under eight minutes to play, 56-45. But in the matter of just a few minutes, the Jeffs tied the game at 58-all and kept the game exciting right down to the final buzzer.

Men’s hockey

Colby 4, Wesleyan 1

WATERVILLE – Arthur Fritch tallied his ninth goal of the season for the eventual game-winner as Colby College took a 4-1 victory over Wesleyan in the conference quarterfinal game in NESCAC men’s hockey action Saturday.

Josh Reber, who missed the past five games with an injury, scored 3:32 into the game and added an assist to lead the Mule’s (15-8-1) offense. Jared Crittenden got his third goal of the season just 1:39 into the second period.

Trinity 5, Bowdoin 2

BRUNSWICK – Freshman goaltender Wesley Vesprini matched his career-high with 36 saves to lead the Bantams to a 5-2 victory over Bowdoin in NESCAC hockey quarterfinals action Saturday.

Matthew Crum ripped a slap shot past Polar Bear (17-7) netminder Chris Rossi at 11:39 of the third period to put the Bantams (13-10-2) up 3-0 down the stretch.

Leland Fidler trimmed the lead to 3-1 with seven minutes to go, finding the back of the net with his third goal of the season for Bowdoin.

Chris Diozzi added an empty netter for the Bantams with 1:48 left before Ryan Leary took the ensuing faceoff and scored his 22nd goal of the season for Bowdoin just 10 seconds later to make it 4-2.