WATERVILLE – Laura Pate pumped in 28 points and Lisa Cote contributed 11 points and 17 rebounds to guide the University of Southern Maine’s women’s basketball team to a 77-66 win over host Colby here Wednesday.

USM improved its record to 7-3 while Colby slipped to 3-5.

Allison Gagnon had 10 points and dished out 15 assists for the winners; Jennifer Pinette scored 9 points and Lynne Wheeler gathered in 9 rebounds.

Liz Cimino’s 28 points and 7 rebounds paced Colby along with Kim Derrington’s 17 points, 16 rebounds and 8 assists. Beth Montgomery scored 9 points and Maria Kim had 7 assists.

USM (77) Pinette 3 (3), Gagnon 4(2), Calcagni, Pate 10(5), McAlinden 3, Wheeler 1, Presby 2, Eaton 3, Cote 5(1)

Colby (66) Newton 3, Cimino 12, Pooler, Derrington 7(3), Belanger 1, Kim 2, Montgomery 4(1)

3-pt. goals – Pate 3; McAlinden

Halftime – USM 36-32