Jaykyri Simpson (above) contributed 16 points, eight boards and seven assists to a 70-57 win over UMF
Box Score
BIDDEFORD, Maine -- The University of New England Nor'easters placed all five starters in double figures on their way to a 70-57 non-conference men's basketball win over the University of Maine Farmington Beavers Saturday afternoon at the Campus Center.
The victory gets the Nor'easters back to the .500 mark at 4-4, while the Beavers slip to 4-3.
The visitors would start quickly, establishing a 14-6 lead 5:37 into the contest. UNE responded with six unanswered points to close within two (14-12).
The two teams went back-and-forth thru the middle stages of the half before the Nor'easters assumed control before halftime. UNE outscored the Beavers 10-2 over the closing 4:21 to take a 39-32 advantage into intermission. #Chas Rentrope# '11 (Peoria, Ariz.) started the flurry with a three-pointer to give the hosts the lead for good, then capped it with a jumper in the final minute of the frame.
The Nor'easters would outscore UMF 15-3 over the initial 8:26 of the second half to claim a 19-point advantage (54-35). The Beavers would not go away, however, getting as close as five (62-57) with 2:21 remaining.
#Johnnie Jefferson# '09 (Dallas, Texas) knocked down a pivotal 3-pointer from the left corner on UNE's ensuing possession to quell the rally.
#Jaykyri Simpson# '09 (East Cleburne, Texas) played a pivotal role in the win with 16 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals. #Steve Belmonte# '09 (Levittown, N.Y.) scored 15 points and was 6-for-6 at the free throw line. Jefferson and #Isaac Stickney# '08 (Rumford, Maine) combined for 26 points and 19 boards, while Rentrope tossed in 12 points.
The Nor'easters made 54.8 percent (23 of 42) of their field goal attempts and held a 36-26 advantage on the glass.
Sean Fry '08 (Jay, Maine) posted a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds to lead the way for the Beavers. Isaac Hutchinson '08 (Oakland, Maine) and Matt St. John '08 (Wayne, Maine) each scored 13 points.
UNE will look to make it three straight Tuesday when the University of Southern Maine invades Biddeford for a 7:30 p.m. contest. UMaine Farmington heads to Bangor to take on North Atlantic Conference foe Husson College (5:30 p.m.).
(posted Dec. 8, 2007 | 18:27 ET)
