Hampden’s Rodgerson lifts UNE to playoff win

NEW LONDON, N.H. – Hampden native Amanda Rodgerson poured in a game-high 17 points to lead the University of New England over Colby-Sawyer 70-59 in a Commonwealth Conference semifinal matchup.

Michele Plant put in 16 points for the Nor’easters of Biddeford. Missy Stults chipped in 15.

Ashley Bramwell led Colby-Sawyer with 22 points while Sara Hammond racked up 16.

U-New England (16-10) 70

Roller 3-2-8, Calkins 2-1-5, Plant 5-5-16, Rodgerson 5-7-17, Stults 6-3-15, Kempton 0-2-2, Fullerton, Brown 2-1-7, VanDeusen, Bartolome, Scarbro, Urrutia

Colby-Sawyer (20-6) 59

Callahan 1-0-2, Sheehan 0-3-3, Hammond 5-4-16, Bramwell 9-4-22, Cross 1-0-3, Bishop, Moynahan 4-0-11, Fadrowski, Ashe, Ganas 1-0-2

3-pt. goals: Brown 2 and Plant; Moynahan 3, Hammond 2, Cross

Halftime: Colby-Sawyer 34-31

Penn St. 75, Purdue 65

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – Kelly Mazzante scored 18 points and Lisa Shepherd had 17 Thursday night as No. 19 Penn State upset No. 5 Purdue 75-65.

A 3-point play by Rashana Barnes stopped a Purdue run and gave the Lady Lions (19-7, 11-4 Big Ten) a 66-58 lead with 2:57 left. Penn State hit 7 of 8 free throws in the last 1:10 to secure the win.

Down by 17 points, the Boilermakers (24-5, 14-2) went on a 13-1 run to close to 61-56 with 4:48 left. Camille Cooper’s basket with 3:25 got the Boilermakers.

Duke 76, Virginia 53

DURHAM, N.C. – Georgia Schweitzer scored 19 points and Sheana Mosch added 17 night as No. 7 Duke beat Virginia 76-53 on Thursday night for coach Gail Goestenkors’ 200th career victory.

Alana Beard added 12 points and six steals to help Duke (24-3 overall, 12-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) lock up the top seed.

Men’s basketball

Delaware 91, Vermont 68

NEWARK, Del. – All five Delaware starters scored in double figures and the Blue Hens made 10 of 11 3-pointers in the second half to beat Vermont 91-68 in an America East Conference game Thursday night.

Delaware (17-9, 13-4 AEC), which won its fourth straight game.