Isaac Stickney made the most of Senior Night, posting career double-double number 24
Box Score
BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Playing in his final regular-season home game, University of New England forward #Isaac Stickney# '08 (Rumford, Maine) had 16 points and 16 rebounds as the Nor'easters earned a 72-59 victory over Gordon College in The Commonwealth Coast Conference men's basketball action at the Campus Center.
The win breaks a seven-game losing streak for the Nor'easters (15-9, 9-3 TCCC) versus the Fighting Scots (16-8, 8-4). UNE has now won five consecutive home games.
Gordon led 39-37 at halftime and would extend its advantage to five (44-39) on a 3-pointer by Brady Bajema '10 (Whitinsville, Mass.) at the 16:15 mark. Back-to-back buckets by #Jaykyri Simpson# '09 (East Cleburne, Texas) got the Nor'easters back within one at 44-43. The teams would trade baskets on the next two possessions before Simpson gave the hosts the lead (47-46) for good on a driving lay-up.
The Nor'easters would continue to roll, as Stickney converted three straight times from the paint to build the lead to seven (53-46) with 9:10 to play.
Gordon was able to close within four on three separate occasions, but the Nor'easters would not break. Two baskets by #Chas Rentrope# '11 (Peoria, Ariz.) and a lay-up by Stickney helped get UNE's lead back to double digits with 3:31 remaining. The Fighting Scots were unable to get any closer than eight the rest of the way.
Stickney collared nine rebounds in the second half to post his third double-double of the season and 24th of his career. The 6'6" senior needs 18 points to reach the 1,000-point plateau for his career.
Simpson finished with a game-high 21 points to go with eight rebounds, six assists and three steals. Rentrope scored 16 points on 7-for-9 shooting while #Johnnie Jefferson# '09 (Dallas, Texas) added 13 points.
UNE shot 61.1 percent (33 of 54) for the game, including a remarkable 77.3 percent (17 of 22) over the initial 20 minutes.
Guard Aaron Trigg '10 (Overland Park, Kan.) scored 19 points--including three treys--to pace Gordon. Jeff Derr '10 (Barrington, Ill.) tallied 12 points, Bajema 11 and Michael Schnackenberg '08 (South Portland, Maine) 10.
The Nor'easters wrap up their regular season Saturday when they travel to Nichols College for a 1:00 p.m. contest. The Fighting Scots host Salve Regina University (3:00 p.m.) that same afternoon.
(posted Feb. 20, 2008 | 22:57 ET - edited Feb. 21, 2008 | 02:11 ET)
