University of New Hampshire Athletics
University of New Hampshire
3-0, 0-0AE
Brown University
1-2, 0-0Ivy
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brown | 23 | 34 | 57 |
| New Hampshire | 26 | 34 | 60 |
Women's Basketball Edges Out Brown for Third Consecutive Win, 60-57
11/22/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
DURHAM, N.H. – Junior guard Elizabeth Belanger (Acton, Mass.) recorded a game-high 19 points, snagged eight boards and registered five assists as the University of New Hampshire women's basketball team topped Brown University, 60-57, Saturday evening at Lundholm Gymnasium.
New Hampshire improves its record to 3-0 overall in the non-conference win while Brown slips to 1-2. The Wildcats record their first 3-0 start to the year since the 2005-06 season.
Belanger shot 6 of 18 from the field and tallied 5 of 6 from the free throw line. Seniors Ariel Gaston (Toledo, Ohio) and Kaylee Kilpatrick (Saint John, New Brunswick) eclipsed double figures in scoring with 13 and 10 respectively.
New Hampshire shot 24 of 59 from the floor to record a .407 field goal percentage. The Wildcats were 8 of 12 from the free throw line to register a .667 clip. UNH won the battle on the boards with a 43-37 advantage.
Brown was led by sophomore guard Rebecca Musgrove with 13 points. Freshman forward Janie White nearly achieved a double-double, registering 10 points and nine boards. The Bears were held to 21 of 61 (.344) from the field and 4 of 26 (.154) from beyond the arc.
The Bears opened the scoring in the match as the away team converted a jumper and a 3-pointer in their first two shots. New Hampshire surged back with a 9-0 run, but Brown evened the score at the 11 mark with 14:13 left in the first half. Belanger broke the deadlock with a 3-pointer at 11:46 to give the 'Cats the 14-11 edge.
Brown battled back to tie the game at the 14 and 17 marks with 6:34 left in the first half. Belanger again snapped the tie, converting a pair of free throws to give the Wildcats a 19-17 lead with 4:12 left in the first half.
New Hampshire and Brown traded baskets down the stretch as the 'Cats entered halftime with a 26-23 edge.
The Bears opened the scoring in the second half with a jumper to pull within a point. UNH retaliated with a 6-0 run, getting baskets from junior guard/forward Stephanie Spoto (Pittsford, N.Y.), Gaston and Kilpatrick to lead 32-25.
Brown kept the contest close, bringing the New Hampshire lead down to two points at 34-32 and 36-34, but UNH pulled away again with a five-point flurry from Belanger to give the home team a 41-34 advantage with 14:26 to go in the game.
The Wildcats maintained their seven-point cushion as the score rose to 49-42 with 6:50 showing on the clock. New Hampshire built its largest lead of the match with back-to-back layups from Kristen Anderson (Greene, Maine) and Gaston to lead by 11 at 53-42. With 5:29 remaining in regulation, the Bears roared back with an 11-2 run, spanning 2 minutes and 3 seconds, making it a one-score contest at 55-53 inside the three-minute mark.
The Bears crept closer as a layup with 32 seconds left on the clock gave Brown a one-point deficit to work with at 58-57. On the next possession, Belanger was fouled and went to the free throw line. The junior guard converted both of her shots from the charity stripe to make it at three-point game. The Bears had two opportunities to send the game in overtime. However, both attempts ricocheted off the backboard and time expired, giving the 'Cats the win at home.
The Wildcats visit the historic Palestra to take on the University of Pennsylvania, the reigning Ivy League champions, Tuesday, Nov. 25 (7 p.m.). New Hampshire returns to Lundholm Gymnasium to tussle with Central Connecticut State University on Sunday, Nov. 30 (1 p.m.).
For tickets, visit UNHWildcats.com/tickets or call (603) 862-400.
Check out UNHWildcats.com or follow the Wildcats via social media on Facebook (www.facebook.com/UNHWildcats), Twitter (@UNHWildcats), YouTube (www.youtube.com/UNHAthletics) and Instagram (@UNHWildcats) for the latest news and information on all 20 varsity sports. For additional information on the UNH women's basketball team, follow the 'Cats on Twitter (@UNHHoops) and Instagram (@unhwbb).
