Nor'easters freeze Seahawks

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- The University of New England men's basketball squad led from start-to-finish on Thursday (Jan. 8), securing a 64-56 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) victory over Salve Regina University at the Harold Alfond Forum.

With their second win in the last three games, the Nor'easters (3-8) improve to 1-3 in league outings. The setback puts the Seahawks down to 3-9 on the year (0-5 CCC).

Junior Devin Thompson led the hosts with 15 points and three steals, and sophomore CJ Autry contributed 11 points. First-year Evrim Ozkan notched 10 points and nine rebounds, while sophomore Matt Lettick and first-year Gavin Dibble came off the bench to add seven points apiece. Sophomore Sam Thomas pulled down eight boards and recorded eight blocks -- the highest single-game mark by a UNE player in more than 24 seasons.

For the Seahawks, junior guard Barrett Hanlon led all players with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore reserve Nicholas Bates also regsitered a double-double with 13 points and 10 caroms. First-year Adam Quinlan went for 10 points and eight rebounds.

Salve Regina had 27 rebounds on the offensive end, helping to a 58-46 advantage in the contest. But the visitors were held back by shooting just 24 percent (20 of 84) on the night and making only 12-of-24 at the line.

UNE started with a 10-0 run and led by the same margin at the break (27-17), despite surrendering 16 offensive rebounds in the opening stanza. The Nor'easters shot 38 percent from the floor in the 1st half, while holding the Seahawks to a mere 15 percent.

In the 2nd frame, an 11-0 spurt pushed the gap up to 19 (46-27) with 12:06 on the clock. Thompson, who tallied 12 of his points in the period, hit two treys and had the first seven in the stretch.

Runs of 8-0 and 9-0 by Salve Regina over the ensuing 10 minutes helped cut the deficit down to five (55-50) with 2:11 to play, however the Seahawks could not get any closer.

A layup and four free throws had the UNE lead back up to double digits before settling on the final difference of eight.

Both the Nor'easters and Seahawks will be on the road for conference action on Saturday (3 p.m.), with Big Blue heading to CCC-unbeaten Nichols College and SRU visiting Gordon College.