BIDDEFORD, Maine - First-year forward Brooke Flaherty (Portland, Maine) 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 (Jan. 22) 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. UNE extended its home winning streak to 21 games while taking its ninth consecutive victory over Curry.

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

Junior guard Christina Deiorio (Stoughton, Mass.) 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 (Pequot Lakes, Minn.) 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 (15 of 31) 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.

For the game, UNE held a signficant edge in rebounds (42-32), assists (20-11) and steals (18-8).

Both teams return to the hardwood Saturday (Jan. 25) with 1 p.m. conference games. UNE heads to Western New England University, while Curry hosts Wentworth Institute of Technology. (Recap courtesy of UNE Sports Information)