CCC CHAMPIONSHIP: No. 3 Endicott Downs No. 4 UNE For First-Ever Conference Title, 74-57

BEVERLY, Mass. – The third-seeded Endicott women's basketball team defeated fourth-seeded University of New England (UNE), 74-57, in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Championship on Saturday evening to capture its first-ever conference title in program history.

Senior guard Kaleigh Putnam (Wallingford, Conn.) highlighted the Gulls' efforts via a game-high 21 points (6-14 FG, 2-2 3PT, 7-8 FT).

Meanwhile, classmates Emily Pratt (Gardner, Mass.) and Mikaela Rogers (Haverhill, Mass.) also produced big-time performances for Endicott in the win. Pratt filled the stat sheet with 17 points, six rebounds, four steals, and three assists, while Rogers registered a double-double via 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Endicott also saw freshman Tara Laugeni (Woodbridge, Conn.) contribute 12 points and eight rebounds, while Shannon Gilbert (Easton, Conn.) had eight points, three rebounds, and a block.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Endicott extended its winning streak to six straight games today.
• UNE entered today's contest with the most road victories of any program in the CCC this season (10-3).
• The Gulls led the matchup for 38:24 and only trailed on the game's opening basket (2-0, 9:41).
• Endicott hit its first seven shooting attempts (field goals or free throws) to start the contest. Pratt tallied nine points during the run which culminated in a 13-6 advantage for the Gulls (9:22-6:49), while Gilbert started the spurt with a layup at 9:22 and Putnam sank two free throws at 7:13.
• Endicott led by as many as 21 points with 39-seconds to play in the game.
• In regards to the box score, Olivia Duncan (Essex Junction, Vt.) had two points, three rebounds, and one assist, but her defense and overall effort played a pivotal role in the Gulls winning the CCC title.

WHAT'S NEXT

Endicott (18-10) has earned the conference's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament and will find out its first round opponent on Monday, March 2 at 2:30 PM. UNE potentially sees its 2019-20 season come to a close at 20-8 overall. 

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(Photo Credit - David Le '10)