Jan 19, 2011
First-year Charles Fenner poured in a career-high 25 points in a losing effort
BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Sophomore guard Aaron Johnson (Boston, Mass.) scored 18 of his 22 points in the first half to lead Eastern Nazarene College to an 80-73 men's basketball victory over the University of New England in The Commonwealth Coast Conference action Wednesday evening at the Campus Center.
Johnson finished 7 of 12 from the floor for the Lions (6-9, 2-2 TCCC), including a 4-for-6 effort from beyond the three-point arc. He also chipped in seven steals, five rebounds and five assists.
Eastern Nazarene received a double-double from first-year John Flakes, who scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Junior DeAngelo Alston (West Columbia, S.C.) came off the bech to tally 12 points to go with three steals, and junior C.J. Gonzales (Fall River, Mass.) scored 11 and hauled in eight boards before fouling out.
First-year Charles Fenner (Bronx, N.Y.) dumped in a career-best 25 points for the Nor'easters (2-14, 0-4). Fenner scored 18 points in the opening half, thanks in part to four 3-pointers.
UNE placed three other players in double figures with junior Marcus Winn (Austin, Texas) scoring 13 points, senior Chas Rentrope (Peoria. Ariz.) 11 and sophomore Nevin Lessard (Belgrade, Maine) a career-high 10. Rentrope added seven points and six assists while Lessard collared six caroms and was 5-for-6 from the floor.
The Lions roared out of the gate, racing to a 10-0 lead 2:33 into the contest. Johnson nailed back-to-back treys to help Eastern Nazarene to its quick start.
UNE would respond with a 15-5 run over the next 5:04 to draw even at 15. Fenner tallied nine points during the run, including a pair of three-balls.
The teams swapped baskets over the next few minutes before the Lions closed the frame with a 19-8 spurt to establish a 49-37 lead at the break.
Eastern Nazarene maintained a double-digit lead for the majority of the final 20 minutes until the Nor'easters threatened in the late stages. Trailing 75-64 with 1:13 on the clock, Big Blue closed to within five (78-73) with seven seconds remaining, but a pair of free throws by Johnson sealed the win for ENC.
The Lions shot 48.2 percent (27 of 56) for the evening, including a 55.6 percent (20 of 36) effort in the opening frame. They also outscored UNE 19-6 at the free throw line.
The Nor'easters displayed solid ball movement much of the evening, registering 20 assists on their 28 field goals.
UNE plays at Anna Maria College on Saturday (3 p.m.), while Eastern Nazarene entertains Regis College (3 p.m.).