BIDDEFORD, Maine -- The University of New England men's basketball squad secured a 117-102 triumph over Fitchburg State University in the opening game of the Hampton Inn Jim Beaudry Classic on Friday evening (Nov. 16) at the Harold Alfond Forum.

The Nor'easters (1-1) move into Saturday's championship contest and will face Trinity College (Conn.), which defeated Husson University by a 66-64 margin in the nightcap. The consolation match will begin at 1 p.m., followed by the tournament final at 3 p.m.

Avery DeBrito led the hosts with 20 points, which included 4-of-6 accuracy from downtown. Jackson McCoy turned in 16 points on 6-for-9 shooting, and Alex Kravchuk dropped in another 15 points. Ryan Beatty contributed 12 points, and Jordan Bagshaw hit three from deep for nine points.

UNE received eight points, seven rebounds, and three blocks out of Andrew Marcelino. Drew Patno pulled down a game-high 13 boards, pacing the winning side to a 60-44 advantage on the glass. The Nor'easters also out-scored the Falcons by 12 from behind the arc, converting 17-of-43 attempts (39.5%) compared to the 23.8 percent efficiency by the visitors.

Fitchburg State got 26 points and four steals from Jonathan Perez, who topped six FSU players in double figures. Nicholas Tracy dialed up 15 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, and four blocks in support. Kameron Jimenez-Fox posted a double-double of 13 points and 11 caroms, while a combined 37 points came evenly from Tyrell St. John, Tayjaun McKenzie, and Charles Doss.

UNE surrendered the initial basket of the night but responded to grab a 14-3 cushion. The lead grew to 15 (31-16) just past the midway mark of the 1st period and settled on a 53-44 spread at intermission.

The Falcons closed to within just two (58-56) less than four minutes into the 2nd half, but the Nor'easters soon used a 12-1 spurt to stretch things to 87-71 with 10:05 to go. Fitchburg reduced the difference to as little as six (93-87), but could not get any closer.