BRISTOL, R.I. – The University of New England edged the Roger Williams University Women's Basketball team 59-55 Tuesday afternoon in Commonwealth Coast Conference action.
 
Hawk Highlights
Sam Leone (Ashland, Mass.): 25 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal
Sam Mancinelli (Peabody, Mass.): 4 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
Karli Opalka (Southbury, Conn.): 6 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 steals
Kendi Barnard (Bedford, N.H.): 2 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 8 blocks (new single game record)
 
For The Opponents
Abby Cavallaro (South Portland, Maine): 22 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals
Kaylee Beyor (South Burlington, Vt.): 10 points, 12 rebounds, 3 blocks
Jocelyn Chaput (Nashua, N.H.): 12 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals
Sadie Nelson (Windham, Maine): 1 point, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
 
How It Happened
The opening quarter saw both teams combine for four lead changes and two ties, with Roger Williams entering the second with a 14-10 lead. The second period was just as close with four ties and three lead changes. The game remained a one-possession game throughout most of the quarter with Roger Williams going into the break with a slim 28-26 lead.
 
In the third, Sam Leone took over for the Hawks, singlehandedly scoring 13 straight points for Roger Williams to turn a two-point lead into an 11-point advantage (41-30). She finished with 17 in the quarter to help put RWU up 48-39 entering the fourth. Notably during the period, UNE's Jocelyn Chaput hit a floater in the paint to score her 1,000^th career point.
 
The fourth saw the Nor'Easters cut into the deficit, with Chaput hitting one of two free throws to tie the game up at 50 with 4:38 to play. Then with the score knotted at 52, a pair of Abby Cavallaro free throws put UNE up for the first time since the second quarter. The Nor'Easters held a two-point lead in the final minute of the game. The Hawks had two opportunities to hit the game-tying basket, with a pair of layups just missing the mark in the final ten seconds. Cavallaro secured the rebound and knocked down a pair of freebies to put the game away.
 
What's Next
Roger Williams (6-7, 2-2 CCC): Thursday, January 9 at Nichols @ 5:30pm
University of New England (10-3, 4-0): Thursday, January 9 at Curry @ 5:30pm