Avery O'Connor helped UNH defeat Dartmouth on Sunday. (Photo courtesy of UNH Athletics)

HANOVER. The University of New Hampshire women’s basketball team closed on a 9-2 run in the final 4:32 to rally past their state rival, Dartmouth, 59-56 at Leede Arena on Sunday afternoon.

The Wildcats’ record improves to 2-1 (0-0 AE) and Dartmouth’s falls to 0-3 (0-0 Ivy League).

The game was tied 44-44 after three quarters. The Big Green held a lead for the majority of the fourth quarter, but the Wildcats kept within five.

With just 18 seconds left, Brooke Kane (nine points) drew a foul to shoot two. Kane sunk both, giving the Wildcats a 57-56 lead.

Dartmouth resorted to fouls with six seconds left in the game, sending the Wildcats’ Avery O’Connor to the line. O’Connor, who led UNH with 15 points, sank both.

Early on, the ‘Cats went on an 11-0 run halfway through the first quarter to take a 16-6 lead.

The Wildcats return to action Wednesday for a 7 p.m. game at Holy Cross.

UNH returns to Lundholm Gym when they welcome Northeastern on Saturday with a 1 p.m. tipoff.

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