Nov 24, 2012
BOSTON -- The University of New England men's basketball team used an 8-0 run early in the first half to erase a four-point deficit and never trailed again, finishing off a 70-63 victory over the College of St. Joseph (Vt.) in the consolation match of the 28th Annual Harbor Invitational hosted by UMass Boston at the Clark Athletic Gymnamium Saturday afternoon (Nov. 24).
The win was the first of the season for UNE (1-4).
First-year Devin Thompson led the Nor'easters with a game-high 23 points, going 4-of-8 from long range. Junior Charles Fenner III (Bronx, N.Y.) added 21 points and six rebounds, and first-year Jesse Dykstraregistered a double-double with 14 points, 13 boards, and three blocks. Dykstra was named to the All-Tournament Team for his efforts over the two days.
Dre Anderson tallied team-highs of 21 points and nine rebounds for the Fighting Saints, who also got 18 and 14 points from Ramel Anderson and Casey Hall, respectively.
St. Joseph grabbed a 10-5 advantage early on, and led 12-8 at the 14:41 mark. UNE scored the next eight -- sparked by the only basket of the game from first-year Jake Abel, who also had five assists and six rebounds -- and did not look back.
The margin reached as high as 11 inside the final five minutes of the first period before settling on a six-point difference at halftime (32-26). Big Blue out-scored its opponent 20-4 in the paint during the frame, and had a 16-3 edge in points off turnovers.
Within the initial two minutes of the second half, CSJ had trimmed the UNE cushion to 34-31. But the Nor'easters responded with a 15-2 spurt in a little over three minutes to push the lead to 16 (49-33).
Fenner III was key to maintaining his side's hold on the game in the closing moments, answering a late trey from Dre Anderson with one of his own, then seeing a three-pointer by Ramel Anderson with a pair of free throws on the other end.
Big Blue hits the hardwood again on Wednesday when Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) play begins. UNE tips off in its home-opener with Wentworth Institute of Technology at 7:30 p.m.