BIDDEFORD, Maine – Suffolk women's basketball fell to the University of New England, 74-54, in its Conference of New England opener Wednesday night at the Harold Alfond Forum.  

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 54 | University of New England 74
RECORDS: Suffolk (5-3, 0-1 CNE) | University of New England (4-4, 1-0 CNE)  

HOW IT HAPPENED
Scoring was sporadic in the first quarter. UNE put up the first five points and forced Suffolk to play catchup. The Rams did just that with a 7-1 run to take the lead, 7-6. From there, the lead flipped flopped and the scoring lulls on both sides allowed the Nor'Easters to regain that early five-point edge at the end of the first 10 minutes, 16-11.  

Two quick points by the host put the blue-and-gold in a nine-point hole, 20-11. For every response the Rams mustered the Nor'Easters answered with a hoop of their own to not only maintain that multi-possession margin but send Suffolk into the locker room down double figures, 38-27.  

Out of the break, that gap grew to as many as 14, 50-36, at the midway point of the third. Suffolk controlled the pace of play over the final 4:30 of quarter as it outscored UNE, 10-2, to trim the distance to six, 52-46. 

A scoring draught hit Suffolk in the fourth frame as it was limited to just three field goals and eight total points to fall to the Nor'Easters, 74-54.

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• Colby Guinta powered Suffolk on both ends of the hardwood with team-high numbers in points, 13, and rebounds, eight, to go along with one assist and one steal. 
• Jordan Moreau joined Guinta in double figures in scoring with 10. She added six helpers and four caroms. 
• Allison Bono was on the verge of double digits in scoring with nine on a 3-for-8 showing from the floor. She chipped in three boards and two assists. 
• Maddie Stewart supplied seven points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals. 
• Suffolk shot just 31.5 percent (17-54) from the floor, 27-3 percent (6-22) from 3-point land and 60.9 percent (14-23) from the charity stripe. 
• UNE outrebounded the Rams, 47-36. 
• The Nor'Easters used the Rams' 21 turnovers and turned them into 16 points. 
• UNE's 15 offensive rebounds also helped the host offense pour in 19 second-chance points. 

NOTEWORTHY

• Suffolk opened its CNE calendar versus UNE for the second time, first since 2021. 
• The Rams are now 1-3 in CNE debuts and 18-13 in the first league game of the season all-time. 
• On the road, Suffolk dipped to 1-2 in CNE openers. 
• Moreau matched a career-high six assists.  

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk looks to bounce back Saturday, Dec. 7 when it welcomes Curry at Larry E. and Michael S. Smith Court for a 1:00 p.m. match.