Box Score

BOSTON -- Down 15-2 early, the University of New England Nor'easters came roaring back to take a nine-point halftime lead and cruise to a 72-62 The Commonwealth Coast Conference men's basketball win over the Wentworth Institute of Technology Leopards Wednesday evening at Tansey Gymnasium.

The Leopards were all over UNE early, taking a 15-2 advantage on a 3-pointer by Sherrad Prezzie-Blue '08 (Norwalk, Conn.) less than five minutes into the contest.

The Nor'easters would respond quickly as they reeled off 12 consecutive points to get within one (15-14) at the 11:22 mark.  #Johnnie Jefferson# '09 (Dallas, Texas) capped the spurt with a 3-pointer.

The teams would go back-and-forth over the the next eight minutes before Prezzie-Blue knocked down another 3-pointer to give Wentworth its final lead (25-24) of the evening.

#Jaykyri Simpson# '09 (East Cleburne, Texas) poured in nine points over the final 3:26 of the first frame to provide the visitors with a 38-29 lead at intermission.

Jefferson scored five points early in the second half to help UNE to an 8-0 start for a 47-29 cushion.  The Nor'easters would hold a double-digit lead nearly the entire half, with Wentworth getting its deficit below 10 just once--on a Prezzie-Blue trey with 40 seconds remaining.

Simpson finished with 24 points to pace the winners.  Jefferson had 18 points--including three 3-balls--to go with five rebounds and three steals.  #Isaac Stickney# '08 (Rumford, Maine) tossed in 13 points and grabbed five boards.  He was 9-for-16 at the free throw line.

Prezzie-Blue dumped in a game-high 29 points, including six field goals from beyond the arc.  Wentworth (10-8, 4-4 TCCC) was hampered by 28 turnovers and 52.4 percent (11-for-21) free throw shooting.

The Nor'easters (12-8, 6-2) avenged a 54-51 Dec. 1 loss to the defending conference champion Leopards.  UNE faces a stiff test Saturday (Feb. 9) when it heads to Bristol, R.I. for a 3:00 p.m. with first-place Roger Williams University.

(posted Feb. 6, 2008 | 21:53 ET)