BIDDEFORD, Maine -- The Bates women's basketball team's defense smothered the University of New England all afternoon on Sunday as the Bobcats defeated the Nor'easters by a final score of 65-36 at the Harold Alfond Forum.

UNE (3-4) finished just 11-64 from the floor. Their 17.2 percent shooting is the lowest percentage allowed by the Bobcats (5-1) since Bates held the University of Maine at Fort Kent to 14.3% shooting in December of 2010. 

Sophomore guard Sarah Hughes (Rumson, N.J.) led all scorers with 11 points on 4-6 shooting. She was the only Bobcat in double figures as 12 different players scored for Bates. Junior guard Sophie Spolter (Blacklick, Ohio) added eight points and a career-high 14 rebounds to go along with two steals. Junior Elsa Daulerio (Harpswell, Maine) and sophomore Mya Hicks (Ann Arbor, Mich.) also scored eight points apiece. Daulerio dished out three assists and blocked three shots while Hicks connected twice on five attempts from three-point range.

Meanwhile, senior captain Alexandra Long (Newtown, Pa.) had a typical day at the office, tallying six points on 3-4 shooting to go along with three rebounds, two assists, and three blocked shots.

Bates jumped out to a 7-0 lead and never trailed in the contest. Faye Veilleux paced the Nor'easters with 10 points and five rebounds but Bates held her to just 4-27 shooting. Sydney Jenisch added six points and five rebounds for the hosts.

The Bobcats led 14-6 through one quarter and 31-19 at halftime. Bates shot 47.3% from the field on the day.

The women's basketball team is back in action this Tuesday when the Bobcats host Colby in a non-conference game at 5:30 p.m.