Women Fall, Say Goodbye to Three

Keene State has officially ousted the University of New England of the 2008-2009 basketball campaign. The Owls topped the Nor'easters 58-53 on Wednesday night, and will now play Nichols College in the second round of the ECAC Tournament.
This loss ends a season in which the Ladies tied a school record for most wins in a season with 20.
The Nor'easters trailed by as much as thirteen before storming back to take a six point lead in the second half. Then the Owls rallied, knocking down a couple of threes and taking the lead for good. Senior's Alli Gamache, Sara Pelkey, and Heather White have now all played their final game for the Blue and White. Gamache finished her career in unusual fashion, leading the team with 12 points by connecting on four treys. Gamache has finished her career with 1,066 points, finishing second in UNE's record books for most career three pointers made (233), and tied for most three's in a season as she hit 82 this winter. Pelkey has finished her career, deserving the title "most consistent." Pelkey was a usual suspect when crashing the boards and getting points in the paint. Sara has finished her career with 943 total points and 590 total rebounds. White ends her career wearing the "C" on her jersey. Despite not receiving much playing time, the Nor'easters will greatly miss her leadership and energy that she brought day in, day out.
The team had an impressive season stringing together a ten game win streak and winning 14 of 15 over the final six weeks of the season. The Women also made it to the semi-final game of The Commonwealth Coast Conference Tournament, a feat that has not been done since the 2002-2003 season, and received a bid into the ECAC Tournament.
The 2008-2009 Women's Basketball team was a team that received much notoriety throughout the entire season. Gamache was named to the TCCC All Conference First-Team, along with an All-State second team nomination by the Maine's Women's Basketball Coaches Association. Sophomore Carrie Bunnell was also honored by the TCCC as she was named to the Honorable Mention All-Conference Team. Bunnell averaged nearly ten points and three rebounds for the season. First year players Margo Russell and Kelley Paradis were also recognized for their immediate contributions. Russell was named TCCC Rookie of the Week twice during the season, while Paradis received the State Rookie of the Week earlier this season. Russell finished averaging ten points, six rebounds, and Paradis finished with ten and five.
Despite losing three veterans, the Nor'easters have a great young core that will help lead the way next season. These Women will immediately take the role of "veterans" both on and off the court, and will look to build on the great success they had this year.