Box Score

NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. -- Wheelock College placed five players in double figures on its way to a 68-63 men's basketball victory over the University of New England in the championship game of the Hampton Inn Classic hosted by UMass Dartmouth at the Tripp Center.

Sherard Robbins, Dan Main and Eric Rice each scored 14 points for Wheelock, which is in just its third year as a varsity program. Joining that trio in double figures were the other members of the starting five -- Max Kaim (11 points) and Victor Kashouh (10 points). Robbins -- the tournament Most Valuable Player -- added seven rebounds and two steals.

All-tournament selections Quentin Thompson (Austin, Texas) and Victor Oruonyehu (Austin, Texas) scored 12 points apiece to lead the way for the Nor'easters. Anthony Johnson (Austin, Texas) contributed 11 points and a team-best nine boards.

Trailing 34-29 at the break, the Wildcats clawed their way back early in the second half, eventually tying the game at 47-all with 9:13 remaining. Main would score the next four points to give Wheelock the lead for good.

UNE would get as close as two (61-59) with less than three minutes to play, but Wheelock sophomore center Eric Rice nailed a jumper and a pair of free throws to give the Wildcats some breathing room.   

Wheelock (3-0) shot 52 percent (13 of 25) in the second half, compared to 36 percent (9 of 25) accuracy for the Nor'easters. The Nor'easters made just a pair of three-pointers over the final 20 minutes after draining seven shots from long range in the opening frame.

UNE (2-2), which had defeated nationally-ranked UMass Dartmouth Friday evening to reach the championship game will head to Brunswick on Tuesday for a battle at Bowdoin College (6 p.m.).