Women’s Basketball Upended by UNE, 64-53

QUINCY, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene College women's basketball team had its four-game winning-streak snapped Tuesday evening at the Lahue Physical Education Center, suffering a 64-53 setback to the University of New England.

The Lions dip to 11-4 on the season and 5-4 in the Commonwealth Coast Conference with the outcome. The Nor'easters improve to 10-5 overall and 7-2 in league action with the win.

Shelby Holmes (Seeley Lake, Mont.) finished with 11 points and six rebounds on the night. Jacquelin Arretche (Los Banos, Calif.) and Ashley Rendon (La Puente, Calif.) each netted 10 points in the contest. Sam Cary (Keller, Texas) and Jaysa Cooper (Frisco, Texas) both chipped in with six points.

The home team bolted out to an early 7-1 advantage less than two minutes into the contest.

The guests responded with a 7-0 run to claim an 8-7 edge with 4:33 remaining in the first.

The two teams traded baskets until the University of New England chalked up seven consecutive points to take a 17-11 lead with 1:45 to go in the opening quarter.

Eastern Nazarene cut the deficit to 19-17 just before the buzzer on a lay-in by Cooper.

After the Lions leveled the score at 19-19 with 7:30 left to play in the second period, the Nor'easters outscored the hosts 14-4 to establish a 33-23 lead at the intermission.

The University of New England widened the gap to 41-25 with 6:32 remaining in the third quarter as Sam MacDonald drilled a three-pointer.

Eastern Nazarene poured in the final six points of the third to trim the margin to seven points, 44-37.

The Nor'easters kept the Lions at bay throughout the fourth frame en route to capturing their fourth straight win.

The Lions shot 33.8% from the floor and connected on just 4-of-25 from the perimeter on the night. The Nor'easters finished with a field-goal percentage of 38.3% to go with 23.5% shooting from behind the arc.

Looking ahead, Eastern Nazarene travels to Endicott January 21.