BIDDEFORD, Maine – As Thursday night progressed into Friday morning on Coach Beaudry's Court inside the Harold Alfond Forum, the University of New England men's basketball team made its 2024-25 debut with a unique 12:01 AM tip-off time in front of an energetic crowd, and never trailed in a 90-78 victory over Thomas.
 
Friday's meeting between the Nor'easters and the Terriers was the first official basketball game across Division III this season, with UNE earning the honor of the nation's first victory in the 2024-25 season.
 
Balanced scoring proved key for the Nor'easters, who had five scorers in double figures. Adrian Torres poured in a game-high 16 points, followed by Jaelen Jackson with 15, then Jimmy Hulland with 14 and finally Jack Pyzynski and Adam Lux with 13 apiece. Torres also led both sides with five assists in addition to his game-high scoring total.
 
Thomas also landed five in double figures, with Luke Gabloff leading the way with 15 points. Loki Anda grabbed a game-best nine rebounds.
 
UNE shot just above 30 percent (7-of-23) from beyond the arc while the Terriers were under 20 percent from deep, connecting on three of their 17 attempts. Two of those Nor'easter triples came from Jackson, including one midway through the second half that handed UNE a double-digit lead (61-49) minutes after the Terriers had climbed within one possession (Watch).
 
UNE slowly built its lead in the first half, eventually jumping on top 37-26 late in the frame. Among the Nor'easters momentum-swinging plays was a dunk by Hulland (Watch), followed by Jackson's first 3-pointer of the game that gave UNE its first double-digit lead.
 
Thomas turned in a strong start to the second half, trimming UNE's 37-31 halftime lead to a 49-46 margin by the 14:30 mark. A Lux triple helped UNE regain momentum, and after Jackson's 3-pointer handed the Nor'easters their largest lead of the game to that point (12), the Terriers, who were 0-of-7 from deep during the second half, were unable to cut the margin any lower than seven.
 
In addition to UNE notching the first victory in Division III hoops, the Nor'easters earned their first win over Thomas since the 2005-06 season. Friday morning's meeting was just the third meeting of the intrastate foes since 2005-06.
 
The Nor'easters are back in action on Coach Beaudry's Court next week, hosting Southern Maine at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13.