USM women give Saints first loss

GORHAM – Katariina Pulkkinen poured in a career-high 39 points and grabbed 15 rebounds here Thursday to power the University of Southern Maine to a 91-76 women’s basketball victory over previously unbeaten Emmanuel College of Boston.

The Huskies improved to 4-1, while the Saints, the top-ranked Div. III team in New England, slipped to 7-1.

For the Huskies, Laura Pate contributed 22 points.

For Emmanuel, Leslie Moore scored 28 points. Shawanda Bey had 16 and Starla Anderson added 10.

Southern Maine (91)

Gagnon 2(5), Pate 6(10), Blanchard, McAlinden, Williamson, Wheeler 4(1), Presby 3(1), Eaton, Pulkkinen 17(5), Cote 2(1) Emmanuel (76)

Bey 6, Anderson 3(2), Sparrow 1, Delmonico 2, Moore 9(10), Harrison 2, Kravnelis, Drayton 1(2), Dutton 1, Williams 2(2)

3-point goals: Bey 4, Anderson 2

Halftime: Southern Maine 43-30