BIDDEFORD, Maine -- The University of New England received a combined 63 points from Alex Kravchuk, Siddiq Canty, and Avery DeBrito on the way to an 84-80 win over Wentworth Institute of Technology in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) men's basketball action Tuesday night (Jan. 28) at the Harold Alfond Forum.
Winners of three in-a-row, the Nor'easters (11-8) earn a season-split with the Leopards (12-7) to pull even at 5-5 in the CCC. The seven teams in the middle of the standings are currently separated by just two games between 6-4 and 4-6.
UNE had a lead for the final 14:35 of the match, following the initial basket of a 12-2 stretch which set the margin at 60-51. The cushion topped out at 10 (69-59) shortly thereafter, but WIT reduced things back to a one-possession game with 5:13 to go (72-70).
The Leopards were within a couple five more times down the stretch, but could not get any closer. The hosts could not distance themselves, either, except for a Ray Evans three-pointer that bumped the gap at 80-75 with 2:33 remaining.
Kravchuk guided all players with 26 points, nearly half of which coming from the charity stripe (11-of-13). Canty scored 14 of his 21 after halftime, and shared the team-high of seven rebounds with DeBrito, who registered 16 points with seven assists.
The Nor'easters out-scored Wentworth by a dozen from behind the arc, which included 15-0 in the 2nd as WIT struggled from deep (0-for-10). UNE had four more turnovers than its opponent, but was more efficient shooting the ball to compensate (47%-41%).
Kevin Fernandez started out hot the Leopards -- with 19 points in the opening 20 minutes -- and posted 25 on the night. Stephen Azums finished strong to dial up 19 points, and his 18 rebounds contributed to a 41-34 advantage on the boards. Azums grabbed nine from the offensive glass that aided the team's 20 second-chance points. Trey Carrier ended with 14 points.
UNE fends off Leopards, 84-80, for third straight win
Wentworth
80
University of New England
84
Final | 1 | 2 | T |
---|---|---|---|
Wentworth (12-7, 5-5, CCC) | 40 | 40 | 80 |
University of New England (11-8, 5-5 CCC) | 38 | 46 | 84 |
Jan 28, 2020