Nor'easters grab share of first place in TCCC standings

February 01, 2008 - 05:19 AM

Johnnie Jefferson netted 29 points, including a pivotal 3-pointer with 1:32 left, to lift UNE over Regis

Johnnie Jefferson contines his torrid scoring pace, dumping 29 points on Regis in a 77-69 win

(story courtesy Regis College Sports Information)

WESTON, Mass.- The University of New England got a game-high 29 points from forward Johnnie Jefferson '09 (Dallas, Texas) to pace the visiting Nor'easters in a 77-69 victory over Regis College in The Commonwealth Coast Conference men's basketball action Thursday night. The victory propels UNE to 11-7 overall, 5-1 in the TCCC play, while Regis falls to 8-11, 2-5 in the TCCC.

Jefferson posted 14 first-half points, and UNE got a first-half double-double (13 points, 10 rebounds) from center Isaac Stickney '08 (Rumford, Maine). The Nor'easters shot an impressive 14-for-30 (46.7%) from the floor, but managed to extend its largest lead to eight points on its last possession of the half. The Pride's guard Mike Fernandes '11 (Granby, Mass.) pull-up jumper with five seconds remaining cut the lead to six heading into the halftime break, 37-31.

Both teams shot over 48 percent from the field in the second half, and Regis clawed to keep pace with UNE. The Nor'easters grabbed their largest lead of the game, however, with 11:27 to play on a deep three-pointer from the corner by guard Steve Belmonte '09 (Levittown, N.Y.) to put the visitors up 52-41. Ironically, Belmonte's shot seemed to flip the momentum the other way, and Regis poured on a 14-2 run, grabbing its only lead of the game, 55-54, on a dribble penetration layup by Regis guard Bryan Little '11 (Hartford, Conn.) with 7:31 remaining in the contest. Good defense vaulted UNE back in the lead, and the Pride were forced to foul Jefferson. Jefferson scored 11 of his teams final 17 points inside of the final five minutes of play, including a staggering three-pointer with 1:32 to go that put UNE up 69-64. Regis failed to score on its next three possessions, and Jefferson sealed the Pride's fate with a pair of converted free-throws with :37 seconds remaining, pushing UNE up 71-64.

In addition, to Jefferson's game-high effort, UNE got 20 points and 12 boards from Stickney, and Belmonte chipped in 12 points.

The Pride were led by guard Herb Lozano's '11 (Boston, Mass.) 19-point team high, and forward Phil Alibrandi '11 (York, Maine) added 12 points, seven rebounds.

(posted Feb. 1, 2008 | 06:24 ET)