BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Western New England College gave league co-leader University of New England all it could handle before dropping a 59-46 women's basketball decision Saturday afternoon (Jan. 31) at the Campus Center. 

Senior forward Sara Pelkey (Barre, VT) and freshman forward Margo Russell (Madison, ME) each scored 12 points as the Nor'easters improved their record to 14-5 and remained unbeaten in The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) at 7-0. UNE has won eight consecutive games, the program's longest winning streak since the 1988-89 season.

Pelkey and Russell were the main reasons combining for 21 points in the second half after Western New England College took a 22-18 lead at halftime. Sophomore guard Carrie Bunnell (Barnet, VT) was the third player in double figures with 10 points.

Trailing 24-20 less than two minutes into the second half, University of New England went on a 14-0 run for a 34-24 lead at the 10:58 mark in taking control of the contest.

The Golden Bears cut the deficit to three (40-37) with just over five minutes remaining, but couldn't get any closer.

Senior guard Katie Arey (Enfield, NH) and junior guard Kailah Al-Darraji (Dover, NH) provided most of the WNEC offense finishing with 16 and 14 points, respectively.

Al-Darraji also led the Blue and Gold with six rebounds and two assists. Arey made 7-of-11 shots from the field, grabbed four rebounds, and came up with a career high five steals.

Sophomore guard Taryn Belowsky (New Haven, CT) added nine points. Seniorp oint guard Krystal James (West Haven, CT) took onlt two shots anddidn't score any points, but she had five rebounds and a game high four assists.

UNE had a slight 20-19 edge in field goals, but cashed in at the foul line making 17-of-24 attempts.

Western New England College (7-11, 3-4 TCCC) went to the charity stripe only six times, making two of its shots.

The Golden Bears have now dropped three contests in a row.