University of New Hampshire Athletics
University of New Hampshire
3-2, 0-0AE
Central Connecticut State University
4-2, 0-0NEC
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| CCSU | 36 | 28 | 64 |
| New Hampshire | 25 | 33 | 58 |
Kilpatrick Scores Career-High 20 Points, Women's Basketball Edged 64-58 by CCSU
11/30/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
DURHAM, N.H. -- Senior forward Kaylee Kilpatrick (Saint John, New Brunswick) scored a career-high 20 points, but the University of New Hampshire women's basketball team was edged 64-58 by Central Connecticut State University in Sunday afternoon's non-conference game at Lundholm Gymnasium.
UNH is now 3-2 overall while CCSU is 4-2.
Kilpatrick scored 16 of the team's 33 second-half points on 5 of 8 shooting from the floor and 6 of 8 from the foul line. She also pulled down eight of her game- and season-high nine rebounds in the second half.
Junior guard Elizabeth Belanger (Acton, Mass.) chipped in with 13 points and six rebounds while Ariel Gaston (Toledo, Ohio) contributed six points, four rebounds, six assists, three steals and one block.
Central Connecticut was led by junior guard Kayla Miller's 20 points and five rebounds. Senior forward Amanda Harrington (12 points) and freshman guard Camden Musgrave (10) also scored in double figures.
Both teams struggled offensively out of the chute as each side notched a field goal to begin the scoring. The Blue Devils broke the tie at the 14:12 mark as junior forward TeJahne Malone completed a three-point play followed by a Miller layup. Belanger responded for the Wildcats with a jumper as the 'Cats trailed the Blue Devils 7-4 with 12:46 to go in the first half.
The Blue Devils bolted ahead on an 11-5 run, but the nine-point advantage was narrowed down to three again. Scores from Kristen Anderson (Greene, Maine), Aliza Simpson (Londonderry, N.H.) and Carlie Pogue (Cincinnati, Ohio) pushed the Wildcats within a basket at 18-15 with 7:37 remaining in the first half.
Central Connecticut responded with an offensive surge to close out the first half by engineering an 18-7 run, fueled by nine points from Miller. The Wildcats entered halftime, trailing 36-25.
New Hampshire picked up momentum to start the second half. A Belanger layup ignited a 12-5 run to invade the Blue Devils' advantage to single-digits and come within five with 13:45 left in regulation, 42-37. UNH bolstered its surge with a pair of free throws made from Belanger and Kilpatrick to pull within a point. A Kilpatrick mid-range jumper propelled UNH to its first lead since 19:34 of the first half at the 11:19 mark, 43-42.
Central Connecticut managed to control the rally as the two sides exchanged baskets as the score stood tied at 45 with 9:49 left on the clock. The Blue Devils swiftly reclaimed the lead with 10 unanswered points, capped with a 3-pointer from Musgrave. CCSU controlled its double-digit cushion until Belanger converted a fastbreak layup with 4:36 remaining in regulation as UNH trailed 60-51.
New Hampshire chipped away at Central Connecticut's lead, as scores from Belanger and Kilpatrick brought the away team's advantage down to four at 60-56 with 2:17 showing on the clock.
However, the Blue Devils staved off the Wildcats' rally in the waning moments and sealed the deal with two free throws made by Harrington to give CCSU the win.
New Hampshire continues non-conference play Wednesday, Dec. 3 (5:30 p.m.) at Boston University. UNH returns home to host Daniel Webster College on Sunday, Dec. 7 (1 p.m.). For tickets visit UNHWildcats.com/tickets or call (603) 862-4000.
Please visit 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).
