Johnnie Jefferson supported with 21 points, including four hoops from beyond the arc
Box Score
BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Guard #Jaykyri Simpson# '09 (East Cleburne, Texas) contributed 26 points, nine rebounds and seven assists to pace the University of New England Nor'easters in a 79-63 The Commonwealth Coast Conference men's basketball win over the Salve Regina University Seahawks Saturday afternoon at the Campus Center.
With his team trailing 55-54, Simpson drove the lane for a lay-up with just under eight minutes remaining to give the hosts the lead for good at 56-55.
From there, the Nor'easters would outscore Salve 23-8 the rest of the way to secure victory. #Johnnie Jefferson# '09 (Dallas, Texas) scored nine points over the final 6:51, including a 3-pointer with 3:04 left to give UNE a 67-57 lead and effectively dash any Seahawk hopes of a comeback.
The first half featured six ties and six lead changes, with the Nor'easters coming away with a 34-30 lead. Both teams shot well in the opening frame--UNE made half (14 of 28) of its attempts, while Salve Regina converted 46.2 percent (12 of 26) of its tries.
Simpson scored 17 of his points after halftime for the Nor'easters, who drained 55.2 percent (16 of 29) of their shots from the floor. Jefferson ended the contest with 21 points, including a 4-for-7 performance from beyond the arc. #Isaac Stickney# '08 (Rumford, Maine) had 14 points and six boards and #Steve Belmonte# '09 (Levittown, N.Y.) added 12 points.
Chris Goodridge '08 (Merrimack, N.H.) tallied a team-high 18 points in a losing effort. Justin Woodworth '09 (Ipswich, Mass.) connected for four 3-pointers on his way to 16 points. He added seven rebounds and a pair of blocks. Steve Walsh '09 (Manchester, N.H.) scored 14 points and hauled in six boards.
The Seahawks (4-10, 1-2 TCCC) shot just 34.4 percent (11 of 32) after halftime and were outrebounded, 38-33, for the game. They travel to Nichols College on Wednesday (Jan. 23) for a 6:00 p.m. league contest.
UNE (8-7, 2-1) heads to Quincy, Mass. that same evening for an 8:00 p.m. conference game with Eastern Nazarene College.
(posted Jan. 19, 2008 | 18:26 ET)
