Back from Thanksgiving break, Gordon College Women's Basketball hit the courts again this evening as they traveled to Biddeford, Maine to face the University of New England (UNE) Nor'easters for their first Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) battle. The Fighting Scots held control until the Nor'easters began to battled back to eventually tie it up at the end of four quarters before forcing an extra five minutes where UNE broke through to eventually take the 84-80 win.

Madison Wynbeek spearheaded the Scots with 22 points while grabbing 15 rebounds to book her second double-double of the season, meanwhile, senior teammate Serianna Anderson contributed 14 points and seven rebounds in the effort followed by Naomi Nicholson who added 13 points.
 
For the hosts, Jordyn Franzen led her squad to victory with 17 points and nine rebounds followed by Gabby Soter who booked 15 points. 

How It Happened

• The Fighting Scots jumped out to an early 8-0 lead catalyzed by a Wynbeek layup to get her squad on a roll before the Nor'easters could even get on the board at the 7:25 mark. UNE started to close the gap in the second half of the first, eventually coming within one (11-12) after a three-pointer, however, Gordon's Anderson swiftly answered back with a pair of jumpers to regain a more dominant edge, 16-11. While UNE battled back, securing the last basket of the quarter, the Scots were able to hold onto their edge, ending the first with a two-point advantage (18-16). 
• This time, Ami Rivera got the Scots going with a jumper before Gordon eventually took a seven-point lead after Nicholson took advantage of an opportunity from the charity stripe to bring the score to 25-18 before the Nor'easters started to chip away to knot it up at 25-all. But the Fighting Scots refused to give up their edge as Sydney Noyes sunk a layup to break the tie (27-25) with 4:23 remaining in the second. It wasn't until the clock read 1:27 that UNE tied it up once again 31-31 before heading into the half, 33-33. 
• Coming back from the break, both squads traded points before Gordon took the 39-35 advantage after an Isabella Rivera jumper, however, not long after the Nor'easters were able to take their first lead of the game, 40-39 at the 6:09 mark seconds before the Rivera sisters regained the slight advantage for the Scots with another I. Rivera jumper fed from A. Rivera. Just over the half way mark, Nicholson hit back to back baskets from behind the arc to take back the seven-point lead (47-40). UNE attempted to shrink their deficit, eventually coming within one point with 55 seconds remaining in the third (50-51) but the Scots were able to hold tight to their lead heading into the fourth frame, 53-50.
• Refusing to go down easy, the Nor'easters quickly locked up the score, 55-55 after 2:27 minutes of play in the final regular time quarter but the Scots took back their lead once again 59-55. UNE wasn't able to grab the lead again until the 5:04 mark (60-59) before going on an additional five-point mini rally to take their biggest advantage of the game, 65-59. From that moment on, UNE continued to add to their lead until the Fighting Scots caught up thanks to a clutch basket from downtown from Nicholson to even it out at 72-72 with just four ticks left on the clock to force extra time. 
• After almost a minute of scoreless action, UNE was the first to break the tie with a three-pointer before Wynbeek hit a layup to shrink their deficit to one (74-75). The Scots attempted to come back and take control, but the Nor'easters were able to keep their lead thanks to another three with 1:51 remaining in overtime (79-75). Down by four with eight seconds left, I. Rivera found Wynbeek at the bottom of the basket to make it a one basket game (80-82), but it wasn't enough as the Nor'easters successfully sank both free throws with three seconds remaining to seal the narrow 84-80 overtime win. 

Beyond The Box Score

• Senior Madison Wynbeek booked a season-high 22 points and 15 rebounds.
• Serianna Anderson had a season-high five assists. 
• Rookie Naomi Nicholson shot perfectly from behind the arc, making three of her three attempts from three-point land. 
• The Fighting Scots continue Conference action on Saturday, December 3 when they host the Nichols College Bison for their first home CCC competition set to start at 1 p.m. on Kanas Court.