Streaks end in Biddeford

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Tom Nason (Milton, N.H.) and Jean-Luc Parker (Georgetown, Texas) posted 14 points to help guide the University of New England to a 64-53 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) men's basketball victory over Salve Regina University on Saturday afternoon (Dec. 3) at the Harold Alfond Forum.

The result was the first for the Nor'easters (2-5, 1-1 CCC) in their last four outings. The Seahawks (3-4, 1-1 CCC) saw their three-game win streak come to a halt.

Nason made all but two of the nine shots he lined up, and contributed six rebounds as well as three blocks. Parker was equally effective from the field, hitting 4-of-6, and converted all four tries from the charity stripe. CJ Autry (Standish, Maine) supported with 10 points, nine caroms, and six assists. Drew Coveney (Londonderry, N.H.) tossed in nine points.

UNE overcame 22 turnovers by shooting 52 percent (26-for-50) in the contest, and controlling the boards by a 43-27 margin. Meanwhile, the Seahawks made just 36 percent (21-of-59) of their tries.

A game-high 19 points was put up by Salve's Rodney Morton (Malden, Mass.), and Connor Costello (Southborough, Mass.) registered 14 more. Nicholas Bates (Danvers, Mass.) notched 12 points and 10 rebounds.

After Costello started the contest with a bucket, the Nor'easters responded with 12 unanswered to move in front. Five different players scored in the stretch, which reversed UNE's only deficit of the match. The advantage was no less than five for the rest of the period, as the hosts sat on a 29-23 cushion at the break.

Things were all even at 33-33 just over three minutes into the 2nd half, as Bates (6) and Morton (4) found some rhythm for the Seahawks. However, UNE countered with seven straight to resume command (40-33) of the scoreboard.

The gap was reduced to three (44-41) with under nine minutes left to play, but SRU could not get any closer as Big Blue's Drew Muniz (Gloucester, Mass.) canned back-to-back treys to extend the lead to nine.

UNE will host No. 24 Endicott College in a league match on Tuesday (7:30 p.m.). Salve Regina is slated to entertain Roger Williams University the same night.