Isaac Stickney registered his first double-double of the season, scoring 21 points and grabbing 12 rebounds
Box Score
BIDDEFORD, Maine -- The University of New England went on a 14-0 run midway through the second half to take control of a tight game on its way to an 82-73 The Commonwealth Coast Conference men's basketball victory over Anna Maria College Saturday afternoon at the Campus Center.
The win is the third straight for the Nor'easters, who improve to 10-7 overall and own solo share of second place in the conference standings with a 4-1 mark. The Amcats now stand at 7-10 overall, 1-4 in league play.
After Anna Maria grabbed a 47-46 advantage on a 3-pointer by point guard Junior DeLaHoz '11 (Lawrence, Mass.) with 12:00 remaining, the Nor'easters would rip off 14 unanswered points over the next 2:31. Steve Belmonte '09 (Levittown, N.Y.) started the spurt by making a pair of free throws after an Anna Maria technical foul. Jaykyri Simpson '09 (East Cleburne, Texas) helped key the Nor'easter surge by scoring six points.
Anna Maria would not go away quietly, however, getting as close at three (67-64) at the 3:25 mark. The Nor'easters put the game on ice by scoring the next seven points, including a conventional 3-point play by Belmonte to end the run.
Johnnie Jefferson '09 (Dallas, Texas) came off the bench to score a game-high 22 points for UNE. He was perfect on all 11 of his free throw attempts. Isaac Stickney '08 (Rumford, Maine) and Simpson each posted double-doubles. Stickney was 9-for-11 from the floor to finish with 21 points and 12 rebounds, while Simpson scored all of his 14 points in the second half to go with a career-best 10 assists. Belmonte contributed 14 points and four assists.
DeLahoz and Tyler Washington '11 (Milford, Mass.) led the way for the Amcats, scoring 21 points apiece. Washington was 9 of 13 from the floor and snared 11 boards. Ryan Brown '11 (Worcester, Mass.) tossed in 10 points.
The first half saw the score tied at 35-all after each team shot an indentical 48 percent from the field. Anna Maria held a slight edge in rebounds (16-15), while the Nor'easters had one fewer turnover (11-10). Stickney scored nearly half (16) of UNE's 35 points in the frame.
UNE will be seeking its fourth straight win Thursday (Jan. 31) when it heads to Weston, Mass. for its first-ever meeting with Regis College. Game time is slated for 7:30 p.m. The Amcats host Curry College (8:00 p.m.) that same evening.
(posted Jan. 26, 2008 | 17:44 ET)
