BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Alex Kravchuk went for a match-best 24 points as the University of New England secured an 81-73 men's basketball victory over the University of Southern Maine on Tuesday night (Nov. 12) at the Harold Alfond Forum.

The 1st half featured all of the game's five lead-changes and seven ties, until the Nor'easters (1-1) scored the final five of the period to gain a 43-38 edge. Kravchuk hit an off-balance, double-clutch trey at the buzzer to solidify the advantage. [Watch]

Things hovered between two and nine following halftime, before a Drake Gavin three-pointer and Avery DeBrito layup set the difference at 74-62 with 4:08 left to play. The Huskies (0-1) posted the last five points to get the closing tally back into single digits.

Kravchuk shot 6-of-10 from the field and 9-for-11 at the line, while grabbing a team-high seven rebounds. Ric Castillo supported with 11 points and six caroms. Ray Evans and DeBrito finished with 10 and nine points, respectively.

For USM, Jacobe Thomas had 15 points and DJ Anderson added 12 with six rebounds. Both Keenan Hendricks and Derek Haney notched 11 points, and Cameron Wood hauled in a game-best 12 rebounds.