HAMILTON, N.Y.—University of New Hampshire jumped out to a 15-point halftime lead and rode that to a 69-45 victory over Colgate University in non-conference women’s basketball action this evening on Cotterell Court. The Wildcats were led by junior Danielle Clark’s 16 points, nine rebounds, and four assists.

UNH (6-1) knocked down a three to open the action, but Colgate (1-6) senior Meghan Curtin (Bronx, N.Y.) responded with a trifecta of her own to make it 3-3 in the first minute of play. The Wildcats continued their hot shooting, going on a 10-0 run over the next 5:20 to make it a 10-point game, 13-3. UNH hit three of its four three-point attempts during that five-minute stretch.

The Wildcats continued to open their lead, pushing their advantage to as many as 18, 35-17, and took a 37-22 lead into the locker room The Raiders struggled from the floor, knocking down just 21.4 percent of their shots, while UNH shot 40.6 percent from the field.

Curtin led all scorers at the break with 12 points, connecting on 4-of-6 from long range. She finished the contest with 12 points and two rebounds.

The second half proved to be much of the same for the Raiders as the Wildcats would not let Colgate back into the game. A pair of free throw shots from sophomore Melanie Cargle (Trotwood, Ohio) cut the lead to 12, 39-27, but that was as close as the Raiders would get as they were held scoreless for 4:14.

Cargle just missed posting her first career double-double with a team-high 14 points and nine rebounds. She also added three assists and three steals. Senior Megan Ballard (Atlanta, Ga.) chipped in seven points and a game-high four steals for the Raiders, while freshman Gretchen Polinski (Mansfield, Ohio) had four points and seven boards.

Colgate finished the evening with a 26.8 shooting percentage (15-of-56) and connected on 31.6 (6-of-19) percent of its changes from behind the arc.

Senior forward Lindsay Adams contributed 15 points, five caroms, and three steals for the Wildcats. UNH shot 38.7 from the field (24-of-62) for the game, including 37.5 percent from three-point land (6-of-16). The Wildcats feasted off of Colgate turnovers, converting the Raiders’ 22 giveaways into 22 points.

Colgate returns to action on Dec. 17, hosting Cornell at Cotterell Court at 4 p.m.