After UNE's CJ Autry hit a pair of free throws with 53 seconds left to tie things at 57-all, Romich missed a leaning jumper on the right side and the tipped rebound eventually fell to WIT's Ian Therriault with 32 ticks remaining. The Leopards reset and isolated Romich at the top of the arc for the pull-up winner.

Big Blue's desperation attempt to steal a result at the buzzer from the right wing was too strong.

The Nor'easters faced a 39-23 deficit early in the 2nd half before a 14-2 run over five minutes brought the hosts back into striking distance. Autry drilled two treys near the start of the rally.

UNE pulled within one possession (47-44) with 8:31 left, but missed on six chances to either tie or take the lead over the ensuing five minutes, as the spread shifted between five and two.

Romich, who scored seven of his team's last eight, made it 56-51 with 2:16 to go. Two freebies by Autry and one for Romich left Wentworth up four (57-53) until Autry found Matt Lettick for a straightaway jumper to close the gap to 57-55 with 55 seconds left. After a timeout, Autry stole the inbounds pass and was fouled in the process, setting up the opportunity to level the contest at the charity stripe.

Romich drained 5-of-8 from downtown in the match, and collected eight rebounds. Jason Granley added 13 points and six boards. Therriault finished with a game-best nine caroms, helping the visitors to a 48-33 edge on the glass. Wentworth (2-3, 1-0 CCC) totaled 18 offensive rebounds -- the 10 in the 2nd period were converted into nine of the squad's 23 points in the frame.

UNE (5-3, 0-1 CCC) was paced by 15 points and six rebounds from Autry, who tallied 12 points in the closing stanza with a 6-for-6 effort at the line. Lettick chipped in with 13 points and eight rebounds off the bench. Devin Thompson had seven points, five rebounds, and four steals, and Sam Thomas registered seven points and three blocks. Drew Coveney dished out six assists.

After only making 26 percent of their shots in the 1st half, the Nor'easters dropped in 46 percent the rest of the way while the Leopards connected on 27 percent in the final 20 minutes. Neither side did itself any favors at the free throw line following intermission, combining for 13 misses in 28 attempts.

Wentworth surrendered the opening basket to Thomas but led for the 19:30 of the initial session as Romich kicked off his night with a three-pointer. The Leopards used a 9-0 spurt to push the margin into double digits (23-9), and another string of nine in-a-row to grab a 36-21 cushion at the half.

WIT returns home to entertain Nichols College on Saturday (3 p.m.). UNE is slated to visit Western New England University at the same time.