Box Score

NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass -- The University of New England closed the contest with a 14-2 run over the final 4:04 to come back and defeat nationally-ranked UMass Dartmouth, 86-84, in men's basketball action from the Hampton Inn Classic Friday evening at the Tripp Athletic Center.

The host Corsairs had held the lead for nearly 26 minutes before sophomore Victor Oruonyehu (Austin, Texas) made a 3-pointer with 1:12 remaining to give the Nor'easters an 85-83 lead.

After each team came up empty on their next possession, senior Jeff Macchi (Franklin, Mass.) converted one of two at the line with 26 seconds to play, drawing UMD to within one (85-84).

Junior Kadare Brown (Baton Rogue, La.) was immediately fouled and converted the second of two shots from the charity stripe to bump the lead back up to two at 86-84.

UMass Dartmouth was forced to foul again following a missed attempt from long range, and sophomore Anthony Johnson (Austin, Texas) rimmed-out the ensuing free throws with six ticks left on the clock, leaving the hosts with a chance. The Corsairs got two looks at the basket as time expired, but neither found the bottom of the net.

UNE trailed by as many as 16 points (64-48) with 13:22 to play in the second half, but slowly chipped away down the stretch. The Nor'easters torched the nets to the tune of 57.1 percent (16 of 28) in the period, while ratcheting up the defensive pressure to force 15 turnovers.

The visitors also went 20-for-32 from the line after intermission -- accounting for almost a third of their 57 points in the frame.

The first half saw the tournament hosts race out to a 15-4 advantage 4:33 into the contest behind junior Brandon Stephens (Dorchester, Mass.), who tallied the first eight points of the game.

The Nor'easters responded with a run of their own (14-1) to take an 18-16 lead midway through the half.

As UNE struggled to 10 of 30 (33.3 percent) shooting from the field in the opening period, UMass Dartmouth out-scored its opponent, 20-7, in the last 7:02 of the session to gain a 41-29 edge at the break.

Johnson scored 19 of his game-high 22 in the second stanza to lead the Nor'easters. Oruonyehu and classmate Quentin Thompson (Austin, Texas) combined for 30 in the final period to finish with 14 and 16, respectively. Oruonyehu also registered seven rebounds.

Junior #J.J. Roseman# (Dallas, Texas) added 13 points and seven boards for the winners, while Brown notched four assists and six steals.

Macchi led the Corsairs with 20 points and nine rebounds. Stephens contributed 19 points and five helpers, and senior Matt Walker (Brockton, Mass.) went for 14 points and six caroms.

UNE (2-1) faces Wheelock College -- a 61-56 winner over Springfield College earlier in the night -- in Saturday's tourney title game at 3 p.m. UMD (1-1), ranked No. 8 in the D3hoops.com preseason poll, will meet Springfield in the consolation game.