HENNIKER, N.H. – New England College started out strong and carried the momentum through the game on Tuesday night as the Pilgrims defeated the visiting Southern Vermont College women's basketball team, 85-34.

The Mountaineers fall to 0-3 on the season while NEC moves to 4-1 in the season's early going with three-straight wins.

The Pilgrims jumped out to a quick 19-point lead, going up 23-6 midway through the opening half. NEC would go on to hold Southern Vermont to a season-low 11 first-half points, as the Pilgrims would record 24 points in the paint to head into halftime up 36-11.

NEC would continue strong play in the second half, shooting an impressive 52% from the floor while outscoring Southern Vermont 49-23 en route to the 85-34 victory.

Leading the way for Southern Vermont was Amber Flagg (Windsor, Conn.) who finished with a team-high 18 points and seven rebounds. Sarah MacDonald (Cohoes, N.Y.) chipped in seven points, while Mariah Anthony (Northfield, Mass.) finished with five points for the Mountaineers.

Five different player recorded double-figures for the Pilgrims, including Allison Beck (Potomac, Md.) who finished with a game-high 20 points and a team-high seven rebounds. NEC's Taylor Burgess (Randallstown, Md.) and Kate Levy (Woods Hole, Mass.) each chipped in 13 points and pulled down five rebounds.

Southern Vermont will try to bounce back next Tuesday when it opens up New England Collegiate Conference play by hosting Wheelock College at 8 p.m.  NEC returns to action on Thursday when the Pilgrims begin North Atlantic Conference by playing on the road against Johnson State College.