STANDISH – Saint Joseph’s College (12-3, 3-0 GNAC) defeated Thomas College (2-12, 2-6 NAC), 81-36, in non-conference women’s basketball action at the Harold Alfond Center on Wednesday evening.

The Monks netted the game’s first six points as part of a 17-4 run over the first 8:09 of play as freshman Abbie Eastman of Norway drilled a three-pointer off a Danica Gleason pass to lift the hosts to a 13-point advantage. The Terriers fought back with a 12-4 surge of their own, as a Katie McAllister free throw cut the visitors’ deficit to five points (21-16) nearly five minutes later, but Saint Joseph’s outscored Thomas by a 12-5 margin for the remainder of the first half and carried a 33-21 cushion into intermission.

The Monks continued to pad their lead in the second stanza and freshman forward Molly Mack provided the Royal Blue with their largest lead of the night when she capped the game scoring on a jumper with 24 seconds left.

Overall, 11 different players scored at least two points in the convincing win, with sophomore center Morgan Cahill notching a team-high 19 points – along with six rebounds – in just 19 minutes. Senior forward Lindsay Moore added 12 points, eight boards and a pair of steals, Mack broke out with a season-high 10 points off a 4-5 performance from the field to go with six caroms, and Gleason contributed eight points on the night. Senior forward Abby Young chipped in with seven points and six rebounds, senior guard Skyler Makkinje posted five points, and junior guard Sarah Assante added five points and three steals in the victory.

McAllister netted nine points to lead the Terriers while Emilee Reynolds scored six and Elizabeth Goodall, Kate Thibodeau, Ashlee Crowell-Smith and Morgan Hutchins contributed four points apiece in the losing effort.

UNE 68, Curry 45

BIDDEFORD —  First-year forward Brooke Flaherty led a balanced University of New England offense with 12 points, as the Nor’easters cruised to a 68-45 Commonwealth Coast Conference win over Curry College in women’s basketball action Wednesday evening at the Harold Alfond Forum.

The Nor’easters recovered from their first CCC setback of the season last Saturday to improve to 13-2 overall, 8-1 in conference play. Curry now sports a 7-8 mark, 4-5 in CCC action. Big Blue extended its home winning streak to 21 games while taking its ninth consecutive victory over Curry.

Sophomore guard Alanna Vose came off the bench to score 10 points for the Nor’easters, and first-year guard Kate Sawyer of Minot hit three 3-pointers to account for nine points in her first collegiate start. Sophomore guard Sadie DiPierro and first-year center Alicia Brown had eight points apiece, with Brown adding three blocked shots. Sophomore guard Lauren Hayden contributed seven steals to continue her lead nationally in that category.

Junior guard Christina Deiorio scored a game-high 18 points for the Colonels. She was 7 of 11 from the floor, including a 4-for-7 performance from beyond the arc. Junior guard Kylie Beltz tallied eight points and five assists.

UNE never trailed in the contest, opening up a 16-4 cushion 7:10 into the game and never looking back. Flaherty scored eight points to help Big Blue to its quick start.

Leading by 10 (28-18) with under five minutes remaining in the frame, the Nor’easters closed on an 11-2 run to take a 39-20 advantage into the locker room. UNE shot 48.4 percent for the half, and out-rebounded Curry 21-12 while forcing 14 turnovers.

The Nor’easters continued to control the tilt after halftime and opened up their largest lead of the evening, 65-39, with less than three minutes remaining on the clock.

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