Box Score Box Score

BIDDEFORD, Me. - Senior guard Carrie Bunnell (Barnet, VT) and junior guard Kelley Paradis (Newport, ME) combined for 40 points as second-seeded University of New England defeated seventh-seeded Western New England 68-56 in a quarterfinal round game of The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) Women's Basketball Championship Tuesday night (Feb. 22).

The Nor'easters (20-6) will host sixth-seeded Roger Williams (a 73-68 winner over third-seeded Colby-Sawyer) on Thursday in a semifinal contest. The Golden Bears end their campaign with a 14-12 record.

Bunnell tossed in 22 points after making 7-of-10 field-goal attempts (4-of-6 three pointers) and 4-of-6 free throws. Paradis added 18 points, seven rebounds, four blocks, and two steals.

Sophomore forward Beth Suggs (Bath, ME) was among four UNE players with seven points. She also pulled down seven rebounds.

For Western New England, sophomore center Elena Radzikowski (Medway, MA) netted 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the field and 4-of-5 from the charity stripe.

Sophomore guard Emily Savino (Ellington, CT) contributed 11 points, five rebounds,and four assists. Freshman guard Ali Pessolano (Hampden, MA) chipped-in with 10 points. Junior forward Sarah Proper (Coxsackie, NY) grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds.

The Nor'easters built a 14-point lead with four minutes left in the opening half before the Golden Bears cut the margin to seven (34-27) at halftime.

Western New England stayed closed and pulled within five at 45-40 on a layup by Radzikowski with 11:06 left in the contest. The hosts then used a 9-2 run to take a 54-42 advantage with six minutes left and maintained its double digit lead down the stretch.
 
The University of New England finished shooting 41.3% from the field and 63.9% from the foul line. Western New England managed to connect on only 35.3% of its field-goal attempts, but did better at the foul line making 70.8% of its attempts.

Western New England held a 40-29 advantage off the boards, but committed 24 turnovers that hurt its chances of a comeback.