BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Junior forward Ryan Knotek (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) posted a career-high 24 points and the University of New England scored the final 11 points of the contest to come away with a 58-46 The Commonwealth Coast Conference victory over Western New England College in men's basketball action Saturday afternoon at the Campus Center.

The Nor'easters (1-6 TCCC) up their overall record to 3-16 with the win, while the Golden Bears fall to 1-16 on the season (1-6 TCCC).

Coming out of a timeout with a 47-46 advantage, Knotek converted an old-fashioned three-point play to push the lead to four with just over four minutes remaining.

After WNEC came up empty on its next possession, Knotek chased down a missed UNE shot by diving out-of-bounds to save it for a teammate, leading to a layup by junior Jordan Stinglen (South Berwick, Maine) and a 52-46 cushion -- matching the Nor'easters' largest lead since it was 24-18 late in the first half.

Knotek pushed the difference to eight on Big Blue's next trip down the court with his ninth field goal in 15 attempts. Four free throws by four different players in the last two minutes provided the final score.

The Nor'easters, who never trailed in the contest, received seven points apiece from Stinglen, classmate Marcus Winn (Austin, Texas), and first-year Charles Fenner (Bronx, N.Y.). Knotek added a team-high six rebounds to his game-high point total.

For the game, UNE had 30 points in the paint -- thanks, in large part, to 18 offensive rebounds.

Golden Bears senior Brad Thomka (Springfield, Mass.) finished as the only other player in double figures with 18 points, and corralled 10 boards to make it a double-double.

Big Blue travels to Wentworth Institute of Technology on Wednesday for a 7:30 p.m. start. Western New England visits Keene State College for a non-conference match on Monday (7:30 p.m.).