NEWPORT, R.I. -- The University of New England Nor'easters erased an 18-point first-half deficit to rally for an 89-78 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) men's basketball win over Salve Regina University on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 7) at the Rodgers Recreation Center.

The victory gives the Nor'easters (6-15, 4-10 CCC) a sweep of the season series with Salve Regina (5-16, 2-12).

Drew Coveney and Devin Thompson each scored 22 points to account for nearly half of Big Blue's offensive output. Coveney poured in 18 points after halftime, finishing the contest 6 of 8 from the floor and 8 of 10 from the free throw line. He added five steals and four assists. Thompson nailed three 3-pointers to go with seven rebounds, three steals and a trio of assists.

Gavin Dibble came off the bench to score nine points, while reserves Andy Kalu and Sam Thomas chipped in eight.

Barrett Hanlon had a big day for Salve Regina, finishing with 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Nicholas Bates had 12 points and eight boards, and Chris O'Keefe and Eric MacKinnon scored 11 points apiece.

The Seahawks jumped all over UNE early, racing out to a 22-6 lead just 7:03 into the contest. Salve would continue to build to its lead, pushing the advantage to 18 (31-13).

The Nor'easters chipped away at the deficit, closing the gap to 12 (36-24) with 3:36 remaining in the half before reeling off 11 of the final 13 points of the stanza to get within three (38-35) at intermission.

UNE drew even (39-39) in the opening minutes of the second half before a free throw from Adam Quinlan and consecutive treys by MacKinnon gave Salve a 46-39 lead.

The Nor'easters rallied to tie the score at 51 with 12:27 on the clock, then fell behind again as the Seahawks tallied the next six points. Back-to-back three-pointers by Thompson and Coveney produced the game's fourth tie, and UNE then took the lead (64-61) for good on a three-ball by Kalu with 7:12 left. Coveney would score 10 points the rest of the way.

Big Blue converted 16 of 18 free throw attempts over the final 5:17 to help secure the win.

The Nor'easters shot 56.5 percent (13 of 23) from the floor and 82.1 percent (23 of 28) at the line in the second half.

Next up for UNE is a 5:30 p.m. road game at Gordon College on Wednesday.