WOMEN'S BASKETBALL FALLS TO CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE, 60-48

DURHAM, N.H. - Jill McDonald (Middlebury, Vt.) scored 12 points and pulled in six rebounds, but it was not enough, as the University of New Hampshire women's basketball team fell to Central Connecticut State University, 60-48, Thursday night at Lundholm Gymnasium.

With the win, the Blue Devils snap a two game losing streak and improve to 3-5 and 0-1 in Northeast Conference play. As for the Wildcats, they fall to 3-5 on the young season.

The two squads tipped off the action trading baskets, until UNH strung off a 6-0 run, sparked by a McDonald jumper at 11:57 that gave the Wildcats the early 11-10 lead. New Hampshire capped off the stretch with a pair of jumpers by Candace Williams (Norfolk, Mass.) and McDonald, pushing its lead to five, with the score 15-10 at 10:15.

Despite the lead, CCSU would fire back with a 6-0 run of its own, holding a 16-15 advantage over the ‘Cats. Emily Rose hit the go-ahead bucket for CCSU on a jumper at the 9-minute mark, giving the Blue Devils their first lead in nearly three minutes.

Kelley Flynn (Hopinkton, N.H.) answered the call for the Wildcats, as she layed the ball in to end the run with 8:10 remaining. Diamon Beckford (Philadelphia, Pa.) added insult to injury moments later, as she drilled a 3-pointer to extend UNH's lead to four, pushing the score to 20-16 with 6:28 remaining.

The Blue Devils were once again quick to respond, as Alexzandria Dowdy rebuttaled with a 3-pointer of her own on the ensuing possession, sparking a 6-1 run, giving CCSU a 24-22 lead with 3:08 remaining.

Lauren Wells (West Chester, Pa.) responded by knocking down a trifecta next trip down the floor, reclaiming the lead, as the ‘Cats pushed ahead 25-24 with 2:51 remaining.

Denise Beliveau (Framingham, Mass) added to the mix moments later as she scored three points the old-fashioned-way, taking back the four-point lead with 1:47 remaining.

Despite the flurry of scoring, CCSU was quick to the draw, as Justina Udenze knocked down the first of two free throws and Gabrielle Oglesby nailed a jumper on back-to-back possessions, cutting UNH's lead down to one, with the score 28-27.

McDonald would quickly answer with jumper on the next trip down the floor, giving UNH a three-point advantage. Oglesby knocked down a pair of free throws on the ensuing possession, cutting the lead back down to one with 0:32 remaining. However, Beliveau drained a 3-pointer at the buzzer to put the ‘Cats up 33-29 at the intermission.

The Blue Devils kicked off the second stanza with back-to-back 3-pointers on ensuing possessions, giving the visitors the 35-33 advantage with 18:46 remaining. Amy Simpson (Waterford, Conn.) responded to the run with a midrange jumper, knotting up the action at 35-35 apiece.

Despite the basket, CCSU kept up the pace in the moments that followed, posting an 8-1 run, earning its largest lead to that point, with a 43-36 advantage at 15:28.

New Hampshire picked up the pieces following the stretch, stringing off a 6-0 run, capped off with a layup by Williams at 11:43, setting the score at 43-42, in favor of the visitors.

However, the late push by the ‘Cats was not enough to overcome the Blue Devils, as CCSU closed out the action with a 17-6 run that built its lead up to 12 and proved to be too much of a burden for New Hampshire to overcome.

McDonald earned America East Player of the Game honors for UNH, as she finished with 12 points, six rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Beliveau added six points, seven boards, three assists and two steals. Wells chipped in with five points, five assists and four rebounds.

Udenze led the Blue Devils with 15 rebounds and 12 rebounds. Oglesby added 10 points and six boards.

The Wildcats return to action on Dec. 20 at 1 p.m. when they take on Holy Cross at Lundholm Gymnasium.