DUDLEY, Mass. – Freshman Jerome Cunningham (Westbury, N.Y.) recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds in Nichols College's 86-69 win over the University of New England Saturday afternoon on Senior Day at the Nichols Athletic Center.

Sophomore Marcos Echevarria (Lynn, Mass.) scored 19 points and also collected six assists, four steals and three rebounds. Freshman DeAnte Bruton (New London, Conn.) filled the stat sheet with 19 points, five rebounds, and four assists as the Bison shot 42 percent and outrebounded the Nor'easters, 44-37. The two teams will meet for the third time this season on Tuesday in the CCC Quarterfinal round at 7 p.m. in Dudley.

Freshman Jackson McCoy (Montpelier, Vt.) came off the bench to score a team-high 12 points for UNE. Sophomore Drew Patno (Lunenburg, Mass.) chipped in with nine points and eight boards while senior CJ Autry (Standish, Maine) and junior Gavin Dibble (Greenport, N.Y.) each scored nine points. The Nor'easters shot 40 percent and made 15 of their 16 shots from the charity stripe (94 percent).

Nichols held a 10-point lead at the half (34-24) as Echevarria canned three triples to lead all scorers with nine points while Panto paced the Nor'easters with eight. The Bison opened up a 20-point advantage in the second half following two free throws from Echevarria at the 11:10 mark.

After the lead dipped to 12 points (61-49) with eight minutes to go, the Bison ripped off a 12-4 run to regain their 20-point lead behind seven points from Bruton. UNE never got closer than 13 points the rest of the way.

All-Time Series
This afternoon's contest marked the 26th all-time meeting between Nichols College and the University of New England. The Bison have won four-straight and 14 of the last 15 against the Nor'easters. 

Next Games
Nichols (20-5, 15-3 CCC) – Tuesday, February 21 vs UNE, 7:00 p.m. (CCC Quarterfinal)
UNE (7-18, 5-13 CCC) – Tuesday, February 21 @ Nichols, 7:00 p.m. (CCC Quarterfinal)