Junior J.J. Roseman was one of four Nor'easters in double figures, scoring 13 points
Box Score
(story courtesy WPI)
WORCESTER, Mass. --- Jeffrey Robinson (Granby, Conn.) and Fernando Perez (Lowell, Mass.) combined for 35 first half points to pace host WPI to a 88-70 victory over the University of New England Tuesday evening in a battle of teams that participated in last season's NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament.
WPI jumped out of the gates quickly, canning its first five shots from the field en route to shooting a blistering 54.1% from the floor in the first half. The Engineers used the hot shooting and a 25-11 edge in rebounding to take a 55-30 lead into the locker room at the intermission. The Crimson and Gray also took care of the basketball, committing just three turnovers over the first 20 minutes of play.
Robinson equaled his career-high of 29 points on the night. The junior drained 10-of-14 field goals, including 6-of-7 from behind the 3-point arc. Perez tallied 15 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, including nine offense boards, on his way to his second double-double of the season and third of his career.
Ben Etten (Hollis, N.H.) had a strong all-around game for the Crimson and Gray. The forward netted seven points, hauled in 10 rebounds and shared game-high assists honors with Robinson with five. Matt Carr (Somersworth, N.H.) came off the bench to add 10 points for the hosts.
The University of New England saw four players reach double digits in scoring. #J.J. Roseman# (Dallas, Texas) and Victor Oruonyehu (Austin, Texas) each registered 13 points, while Anthony Johnson (Austin, Texas) chipped in with 12 and Marcus Winn (Austin, Texas) added 11.
The Nor'easters, who drop to 2-6 on the season, attempted 66 shots on the night, with 44 of them from behind the 3-point line. The visitors had four players lead the way with four rebounds each and, as a team, committed just 10 turnovers on the night.
WPI (7-1) next turns its attention to this weekend's Regis Tournament. The Engineers will open up tourney play on Friday at 7pm versus Gwynedd-Mercy (PA). UNE heads home for just its second home contest on the season on Saturday. The Nor'easters entertain the Beavers of UMaine Farmington in a game slated to begin at 5 p.m.
