Women's Basketball Never Trails in 69-52 Win Over Boston University

Saturday, December 5

Durham, N.H.

4 PM

University of New Hampshire

6-2, 0-0AE

Boston University

0-7, 0-0PL

Boston University

New Hampshire

Photo by: Paige O'Donnell

Women's Basketball Never Trails in 69-52 Win Over Boston University

12/5/2015 6:23:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

DURHAM, N.H. -- Senior guard Elizabeth Belanger (Acton, Mass.) poured in a game-high 24 points to power the University of New Hampshire women's basketball team to Saturday's 69-52 triumph over Boston University at Lundholm Gymnasium.

New Hampshire improves to 6-2 in the non-conference tilt, while BU falls to 0-7. The Wildcats never trailed in the contest.

Belanger finished the evening with 24 points on 9 of 12 shooting and 4 of 5 from the free throw line, marking her fourth 20-point performance through eight games this season. She also knocked down a pair of 3-pointers and ripped down four rebounds. Senior forward Corinne Coia (North Smithfield, R.I.) turned in 13 points, three boards, one block and one assist. Sophomore guard Aliza Simpson (Londonderry, N.H.) was one-point shy of a personal best in scoring, posting a season-high 12 points. Sophomore center Carlie Pogue (Cincinnati, Ohio) racked up a season-high three blocks.

New Hampshire shot 25 of 54 from the field to register a .463 field goal percentage. The blue and white set season-highs in blocks (seven) and 3-pointers made (seven). The Wildcats were advantageous off turnovers, notching 20 points in comparison to the Terriers' 10.

Boston University was led by junior forward Meghan Green, who notched team-highs in scoring (15) and rebounding (six). Classmate Sarah Hope pitched in 12 points coming off the bench. Senior guard Troi Melton snagged four steals.

The Terriers drained 20 of 58 (34.5 percent) attempts from the floor and was held to just 3 of 12 (25.0 percent) from beyond the arc. Boston University and New Hampshire both pulled down 35 boards.

New Hampshire's offense was clicking on all cylinders out of the gate, opening a 14-2 lead in the first five minutes. Green paused the Wildcat scoring barrage with a fastbreak layup and a made free throw. However, New Hampshire responded with scores from Belanger and Coia to up the lead for the blue and white to 18-5 with 3:13 left in the first quarter. The Terriers looked to limit the damage as Hope hit a triple to bring the Wildcats' lead down to 10. Senior guard Stephanie Spoto (Pittsford, N.Y.) closed out the scoring in the first frame with a layup for UNH as the home team lead 20-8 after 10 minutes played.

The 'Cats engineered another lengthy run, extending their lead to 22 with a 12-2 surge to gain a 32-10 advantage with 6:09 remaining in the second quarter. After trading scores, the Terriers tried to claw their way back into the match with a five-point scoring flurry as the visitors looked up at a 34-19 deficit. Belanger and Coia wrapped up the scoring with a jumper and made free throw. New Hampshire entered the locker rooms with a 37-19 lead.

BU opened the third stanza with a triple from Hope at the top of the arc. The Wildcats retaliated with a 9-2 run, highlighted by 3-point makes from Coia and Simpson. Hope snapped the UNH scoring surge with a 3-pointer of her own as the score stood at 47-29 with 5:33 to go in the frame. Despite the Terriers' efforts, the Wildcats bolstered their lead to 61-33 with 10 minutes remaining in regulation.

The 'Cats constructed another strong start in the final frame as freshman forward Ashley Storey (Cumberland, Maine), Kristen Anderson (Greene, Maine) and Belanger all made baskets. New Hampshire posted its largest lead of the game at 68-35 with 7:14 remaining. UNH preserved its double-digit cushion for the remainder of the game, cementing the 69-52 win.

UNH wraps up its three-game homestand, hosting Siena College on Wednesday, Dec. 9 (7 p.m.). For tickets, please log onto UNHWildcats.com/tickets or call (603) 862-4000.

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