BIDDEFORD — The University of New England Nor’easters fell just short of victory, losing to non-conference opponent Colby Thursday, 54-53, at the Harold Alfond Forum in Biddeford.
UNE first-year point guard Meghan Gribbin drove into the lane and threw up a shot with two defenders in her face in the final seconds of the game. The shot rimmed out and fell to the floor as time expired.
“We just could not get stops when we needed them at the end. They went with zone (defense) and we couldn’t knock down wide open jump shots,” said UNE coach Anthony Ewing. “I’m proud of our team for putting ourselves in the position to win at the end.”
UNE out rebounded Colby 40-30, hit twice as many free-throws at 16-8, and had five less turnovers. In the end, though, UNE was just 1-14 in 3-pointers and shot just 31.6 percent from the field while Colby shot 41.7 percent.
“We have good shooters that can hit the 3 and I hesitate to tell them not to take the shot,” said Ewing. “You can only go so many games in a row where you shoot terribly from there. Our game plan was to get it inside more because they weren’t real big. But 1-14 really isn’t getting it done.”
Kelly Coleman had a double-double in the game for UNE scoring 19 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Gribbin contributed 11 points, four assists and three steals.
“Kelly finished around the basket and got to the free-throw line. Take her out of the game and we were 11-45 (shooting) and that just isn’t going to get it done against anybody,” said Ewing.
Diana Manduca had been Colby’s leading scorer all season averaging 15 points a game. But Ewing made it a point to shut her down.
“Our goal was to make somebody else step up and make shots. (Carylanne) Wolfington and Jen Nale stepped up for them and made shots,” said Ewing.
UNE trailed most of the game as it was playing catch-up from the beginning. The Nor’easters trailed by as many as 12 at one point. With 5:35 remaining, UNE finally took the lead going up 47-45 on a layup by Coleman. It added to its lead when Liz Leblanc hit two free throws to bring the score to 49-45.
“Coming out of the half we wanted to continue to pressure and push to get them down. We wanted to force a more transitional game and maybe get some easy buckets because shots weren’t falling,” said Ewing.
Colby marched down the floor and hit one of its six 3-pointers on the night to cut the lead to one at 49-48.
The Mules tied the game on two free throws by Manduca, and took the lead on a jumper from Jamie Wallace. Jen Nale hit two free throws for Colby to make the score 54-50 in favor of the Mules.
UNE wasn’t done scoring as Sadie Dipierro hit the lone 3 for UNE, cutting the lead to 54-53. After a missed free throw by Manduca, UNE’s Gribbin charged down court and narrowly missed the final shot to win the game.
“Sadie hit a big 3 and we wanted to foul right away. It was a mental mishap on our part. We were able to get the miss at the free-throw line and push the ball hard. She got a decent look but it just didn’t drop,” said Ewing.
UNE (4-3) next will host St. Joseph’s College Saturday at 1 p.m. before breaking for the holiday season.
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