Box Score

FARMINGTON, Maine -- Led by a game-high 24 points by first-year guard Quentin Thompson (Austin, Texas), the University of New England came away with a narrow 83-82 non-conference victory over UMaine Farmington in a college men's basketball game Saturday afternoon at Dearborn Gymnasium.

The win was the fifth straight for the Nor'easters (6-3) - the program's first five-game win streak since the merger with Westbrook College in 1996.  The Beavers now stand at 3-4.

Trailing by eight (74-66) with just under six minutes to play, UMF closed to within one (83-82) when Andrew Dean (Gorham, Maine) banked in a three-pointer with 2.3 seconds remaining.  The Nor'easters were then able to in-bound the ball and run out the clock.

Thompson netted his career-high 24 points on 9-for-13 shooting from the floor and grabbed nine rebounds for the second consecutive contest.  His 24 points came in just 24 minutes of play, as he fouled out in the closing stages.

First-year guard Anthony Johnson (Austin, Texas) contributed 15 points, three assists and three steals, while sophomore guard Chas Rentrope (Peoria, Ariz.) had 12 points, five boards and three steals.  Senior guard Jaykyri Simpson (East Cleburne, Texas) added 11 points, eight caroms and four assists.

Josh Tanguay (Gorham, Maine) posted a double-double for the Beavers with 20 points and 11 rebounds.  Eric Lelansky (Portland, Maine) finished with 17 points and five assists.

The first half was tight the entire way, featuring 14 lead changes.  UNE had trailed 37-30 with just over three minutes to play in the frame but outscored the hosts, 10-2, the rest of the way to take a 40-39 lead into the break.

Each team struggled from the free throw line.  The Nor'easters converted 53.8 percent (14 of 26), while the Beavers made just 38.9 percent (7 of 18) of their tries.

UNE has a 19-day layoff before hosting the Jim Beaudry Classic Jan. 2-3.  The Nor'easters will play Suffolk University in the opening round.