WATERVILLE, Maine -- Tyheem Simon and Zach Mackinnon combined for 46 points as the Thomas College men's basketball team defeated the University of New England by a score of 69-64 on Friday (Nov. 18) as the Charlie Ryan Classic began from Larry Mahaney Gymnasium.

Simon led all players with 26 points for the Terriers (2-0), and added six rebounds. During live action, Mackinnon only fired up shots from behind the three-point arc, making 6-of-11. Carlos Gonzalez went for seven points and eight boards, and Ian King handed out nine assists.

Drew Coveney wasn't far off of a triple-double for the Nor'easters (0-2), tallying 14 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds. Jean-Luc Parker supported with 10 points and six caroms. CJ Autry, Drew Washington, and Zachary Kupferberg each registered nine points -- Autry and Washington did all their work from deep.

UNE got out to a 13-6 edge at the 11:13 mark of the 1st half, but over the next 10 minutes, Thomas nearly doubled-up (21-11) the visiting squad to take a 27-24 edge. The hosts held a 28-27 lead at the break as both sides struggled to find the range, connecting at less than 28-percent clips.

After the last bucket of the initial stanza, the Nor'easters turned in nine straight points to gain a 34-28 cushion early in the 2nd period, however the Terriers countered right back with seven of their own to move in front (35-34).

With 13:27 left, Simon put Thomas ahead for good (42-39) with a triple. The gap stretched as high as 10 (56-46, 59-49, 64-54) before UNE reduced the spread with seven in-a-row (64-61). Big Blue could not get any closer (66-63, 67-64) in the final three minutes, though.

In the last session, the Terriers out-scored UNE by nine at the charity stripe. The teams were even in the category during the opening 20 minutes.

The Nor'easters get back to work on day two of the event Saturday (3 p.m.) against the University of Maine at Farmington.