Feb 16, 2016
QUINCY, Mass. -- All five starters reached double figures as Eastern Nazarene College raced to an 81-67 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) men's basketball victory over the University of New England on Tuesday evening (Feb. 16) at the Lahue PE Center.
After claiming their last five outings, and 9-of-10 following a five-game skid, the Lions move to 18-6 on the year and 12-5 in league play. The Nor'easters slip back to 12-12 overall, and 7-10 in CCC action.
ENC received a game-high 15 points from Justin Wagner, who did all his work from behind the arc (5 of 8) and recorded 12 in the closing 20 minutes. Eric Lynch added 14 points and six assists, and Jeremy Wagner totaled 11 points. Lequan Gomes and Jaylen Owens both scored 10; Gomes pulled in a team-best seven rebounds.
The hosts made 30-of-60 field goals and went 13-for-26 from deep in the match, and transitioned 22 UNE turnovers into 25 points.
Big Blue was led by Gavin Dibble with 13 points, while Drew Patno registered 10 points and a game-high eight rebounds. The Nor'easters held a 40-28 rebounding edge and shot 40 percent from the floor.
The Lions built a 17-7 lead in the 1st half, peaked the margin at 12, and settled on an 11-point (39-28) cushion at halftime.
Eastern Nazarene worked with efficiency in the 2nd period, shooting 54 percent from the field and going 7-of-10 from long distance. The advantage crested at 23 (67-44) with under eight minutes to play.
UNE is set to conclude the regular-season on Saturday (3 p.m.) at home against Salve Regina University (6-11 CCC).