Dec 05, 2015
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Four players in double figures guided the University of New England to a 77-68 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) men's basketball win over Western New England University on Saturday afternoon (Dec. 5) at the AHL Center.
The Nor'easters (6-3, 1-1 CCC) trailed by as many as four in the opening minutes, until three free throws by CJ Autry with 13:34 to go in the 1st half put the visitors ahead for good. A 13-3 run -- which featured six from Jean-Luc Parker -- extended the UNE spread to 11 (33-22) with 3:32 left in the period, only to see nine unanswered bring the Golden Bears (1-5, 0-2 CCC) back before the gap settled on four (37-33) at halftime.
In the 2nd, WNE pulled within one (49-48) at the 8:23 mark, but the hosts were otherwise no closer than five inside the final five minutes.
Drew Coveney led Big Blue with 15 points (13 in the 2nd), seven rebounds, and four assists. Devin Thompson had 14 points and seven boards. Parker totaled 13 points and six caroms, while Autry ended with 12 points and seven rebounds.
The Nor'easters prevailed shooting 48 percent from the floor, though they connected on just 3-for-15 from deep. UNE had a 40-27 advantage on the glass and went 20-of-25 at the line.
The Golden Bears were paced by a game-high 34 points out of Mike Gelineau, which included a 7-of-13 performance from long range. Mikey Petteway contributed 10 points.
UNE is off until January 5 for a visit to conference foe Gordon College.