BRUNSWICK

Coaches, after a tough setback, are quick to preach to their players to forget about the past and move forward. But, when a chance at retribution comes around, an athlete’s memory, no matter how long ago the loss occurred, is as clear as if it happened yesterday.

Such was the case on Tuesday when the Bowdoin College women’s basketball team hosted the University of New England at Morrell Gymnasium in a rematch of last year’s Nor’easters’ beatdown of the Polar Bears, a 72-32 win at Biddeford.

Bowdoin got its revenge, holding on for a hard-fought 64-59 victory, giving the Polar Bears a 5-0 record while handing UNE its first loss (4-1).

“We all remember last year’s game, something we have nightmares about even today,” said Bowdoin coach Adrienne Shibles, whose Polar Bears return to action this upcoming Tuesday at the University of Southern Maine. “We have come a long way in a year, but we still have work to do, especially in the paint. But, I am really happy with this team and this result.”

“This is a huge turnaround. We have been waiting for this game since last year, and we have come a long way since then,” said Bowdoin junior guard Sara Binkhorst, who led the Polar Bears with 23 points, including five points down the stretch to hold off the Nor’easters.

Turnaround

In last year’s loss, Bowdoin mustered just eight first-half points in falling behind 35-8 at the half. In the rematch, Bowdoin again got off to a slow start, trailing 8- 4 five minutes into the game.

Anna Prohl got the Polar Bears going when she completed a three-point play, and a short jumper by Binkhorst moments later surpassed last year’s first-half total, with 13:41 on the clock, and gave Bowdoin a 9-8 lead.

The Polar Bears kept coming, extending out to a 10- point lead, 31-21 with 55 second remaining until halftime. Bowdoin held a 31-23 edge at the break.

Binkhorst had 14 points in the opening 20 minutes as the Polar Bears shot 44.8 percent (13 of 29) from the floor, including four of 10 from 3- point range, a far cry from last year’s dreadful 1-for-20 performance at UNE.

The Nor’easters clawed back in the second half, led by Alanna Vose (18 points), Kelly Coleman (11) and Sadie DiPierro (11). UNE caused 14 turnovers and took its first lead since a 10-9 edge in the first half when DiPierro drained a 3-pointer for a 54-52 edge with 4:33 remaining.

A pair of free throws by Bowdoin’s Megan Phelps tied the game, and Binkhorst scored with 3:18 remaining to put the Polar Bears up 56-54. A free throw by Shannon Brady was answered by a layup by UNE’S Brooke Flaherty to make for a one-point game, 57-56 with 2:13 on the clock.

Binkhorst stepped back and hit a big trey, but Vose answered at the other end moments later to keep UNE close. However, those were the final points for UNE, as Brady’s short jumper and a pair of free throws by Binkhorst completed Bowdoin’s 64-59 victory and a perfect 5-0 mark.

“UNE is a great team, and the way we responded showed a lot about our team” said Binkhorst. “We answered, made some big shots and just came together as a team when it really counted. We can’t get complacent, can’t get satisfied, knowing that we have two big rivals right after break with Colby (Dec. 7) and USM. We are going to enjoy Thanksgiving, come back and get after it.”

“I am proud of the composure that we played with, and Sara made some huge shots and did all the things that a championship team should do,” said Shibles.

Brady, the New England Small College Athletic Conference women’s basketball Player of the Week, added 17 points for Bowdoin, while Phelps and Selena Lorrey added six points apiece. Kirsten Prue dished a teamhigh five assists, while Marle Curle handed out four helpers. On the boards, Brady and Prue each had eight rebounds. Bowdoin shot 44 percent (22 of 50) from the field and made 13 of 15 free throws.

UNE was held to 35.2 percent shooting from the floor (19 of 54), including 33 percent (7 of 21) from 3-point range. Flaherty led the Nor’easters with six caroms, and Lauren Hayden had a game-high seven assists.

Former Richmond High School standout Megan DeRaps had two points for UNE.

Bowdoin 64, UNE 59

At		Morrell		Gymnasium
UNE		—	23	36	—	59
Bowdoin			— 31	33	—	64

UNE — Kelly Coleman 4-3-11, Alicia Brown 1-1-3, Lauren Hayden 1-4-6, Alanna Vose 7-0-18, Sadie DiPierro 4-0-11, Brooke Flaherty 1-4-6, Michaela Flanagan 0-2-2, Megan DeRaps 1-0-2. Totals — 19-14-59. Bowdoin — Shannon Brady 6-5-17, Megan Phelps 1-3-6, Sara Binkhorst 8-4-23, Kirsten Prue 2-0-5, Marle Curle 1-0-2, Anna Prohl 1-1-3, Siena Mitman 0-0-0, Nina Hadzibabic 0-0-0, Rachel Norton 1-0-2, Selena Lorrey 2-0-6. 3-point field goals — (UNE) Vose 4, DiPierro 3; (B) Phelps, Binkhorst 3, Prue, Lorrey 2. Records — Bowdoin 5-0, UNE 4-1. Up next for Bowdoin — This upcoming Tuesday at the University of Southern Maine, 5:30 p.m.