Jan. 25, 2005
The Endicott College Gulls held the University of New England Nor'easters scoreless the opening 9:35 of the second half to erase a 21-20 halftime deficit on their way to a 58-49 Commonwealth Coast Conference win tonight in Biddeford Maine. The win is the fourth consecutive for the Gulls and the second over the Nor'Easters this season, having defeated UNE, 70-52, at home last week.
Endicott took the lead early in the game going out to a 12-8 lead in the first 5 minutes. But the Gulls offense was sluggish (shooting only 29% from the field in the first half) and the Nor'Easters held the Gulls scoreless over the next 8 minutes of play while tallying 7 of their own points to take the lead, 15-12. With 4 ties and 3 lead changes in the half, UNE went into the break up one, 21-20.
Endicott came out with better focus and new enthusiasm in the second half, shooting a much improved 46% from the field. The Gulls went on a 16-0 run at the beginning of the half and didn't give up a basket until 10 minutes in. Liz Yuneman led the Gulls attack scoring 15 of her game high 20 points in the second half. The Gulls took their largest lead (47-30) on a 3-point play by sophomore Marisa Botta with 6:08 remaining. UNE stormed back in the closing stages, getting as close as five (50-45) on an Essie McKinnon jumper at the 1:15 mark. That is as close as UNE would come as Endicott hit 8 of 10 free throws over the final minute to secure the win.
The Gulls went 12 for 15 from the free throw line in the second half, shooting 76% from the stripe for the game. Carly Haynes and Holly Beth Wojcik joined Yuneman in double figures with 11 and 10 points respectively. Haynes also grabbed 6 rebounds and dished out 4 assists. Jodi Brown added 7 points and 5 rebounds while Lisa Chartier tallied 6 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals.
UNE, who was led by Tara Peterson with 9 points and 9 rebounds, drops to 7-8 overall, 3-5 in the CCC. McKinnon and first-year guard Katie Morin each had eight points and six boards.
Endicott's record improves to 7-7 overall, 5-1 in the CCC. The Gulls are back at home on Thursday, January 27th, versus New England College. Tip off time is 7:30pm.
