NEWTON, Mass. -- Mount Ida College used a 16-0 run during a five minute stretch in the second period to swing a seven-point deficit into a lead, en route to a 72-64 victory over the University of New England in non-conference men's basketball action Sunday afternoon at the Athletic Center.

The Mustangs improve to 2-0 on the season, while the Nor'easters drop to 0-4.

After UNE closed the first half with nine of the final 12 points to go up 25-23, the visitors came out of intermission with nine of the first 11 in the second to increase the advantage to 34-25.

With the Big Blue cushion at seven (36-29) and 15 minutes remaining in the contest, Mount Ida tallied the next 16 points to grab the lead for good. Isiah Benjamin scored six in the spurt.

The hosts extended the gap to 13 (54-41), only to see the Nor'easters drop in 10 of the ensuing 11 points to trim the margin to four (55-51) with 5:21 left. However, UNE could not get any closer as the Mustangs shot an impressive 59.3 percent (16-for-27) in the second frame to seal the win.

Keith Jones led all scorers with 21 points, and picked up four steals. Travis Hillery added 14 points and eight rebounds -- the same number of boards pulled down by Jeff McNair, who chipped in with 11 points. Benjamin also finished with 11 points, and dished out five assists. Joe Cabral corralled a game-best 13 rebounds.

For the Nor'easters, senior J.D. Winn (Austin, Texas) sent in a team-high 13 points -- all in the first half -- on 5-of-6 shooting, including all three of his attempts from deep. Marcus Winn (Austin, Texas) contributed 10, while senior classmates Ryan Knotek (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) and Jarryd Rossignol (Caribou, Maine) both recorded nine. First-year Jordan Ferreira finished with eight points and a squad-high nine boards.

UNE visits Wentworth Institute of Technology on Wednesday to open up Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) play.