Box Score

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- The University of New England Nor'easters scored seven of the final nine points to overcome a three-point deficit and advance to their first-ever The Commonwealth Coast Conference men's basketball championship game with a 77-75 win over fourth-seeded Salve Regina University before a packed house Thursday night at the Campus Center.

The Nor'easters (23-4) will host No. 2 Colby-Sawyer College -- a 72-54 winner over Gordon College -- in Saturday's title game. 

After a layup by senior guard Justin Woodworth (Ipswich, Mass.) gave Salve a 73-70 lead with 2:51 remaining, first-year guard Anthony Johnson (Austin, Texas) knocked down a pair of free throws to get UNE within one (73-72).  

The Seahawks missed a three-point attempt on their next possession, and the Nor'easters took the lead (74-73) for good on their next trip up the floor when senior Steve Belmonte (Levittown, N.Y.) hit a pull-up jumper in the lane with 1:31 left.

Both teams went scoreless for nearly a minute until sophomore guard Chas Rentrope (Peoria, Ariz.) dropped a pair of free throws to put UNE up three (76-73).

Senior guard Jabreche Boyd (West Haven, Conn.) closed the gap to one (76-75) for Salve, converting two free throw attempts with 21 seconds remaining.

The Nor'easters struggled from the free throw line the rest of the way, making just 1 of 4.  Senior Johnnie Jefferson (Dallas, Texas) converted the back end of a two-shot foul with 3.7 second left, giving UNE a two-point (77-75) cushion.

After a timeout, Salve Regina pushed the ball up the floor and was able to get off a contested three-point attempt that bounced off the back of the rim at the buzzer.

Jefferson finished with 18 points, including four 3-pointers, to lead the way for the Nor'easters.  First-year guard Quentin Thompson (Austin, Texas) chipped in 16 points on 6-for-8 shooting.  Senior guard Jaykyri Simpson (East Cleburne, Texas) battled foul trouble all evening to contribute 12 points.

Woodworth poured in a game-high 27 points to go with 10 rebounds in his final collegiate game.  Sophomore guard Windell Hinkson (Groton, Conn.) scored 16 points.  Sophomore forward Dan Royce (Mahwah, N.J.) came off the bench to grab a game-high 13 rebounds, including seven of the Seahawks' 20 offensive boards.

Overall, Salve outrebounded UNE, 43-22.  The teams combined for 60 turnovers -- 33 by the Seahawks, who end their season with a 14-13 mark.

The Nor'easters found themselves trailing 42-37 at the break despite forcing 20 Salve Regina miscues.  Woodworth netted 16 points in the opening stanza, and the Seahawks dominated the glass (25-11).

Saturday's championship tilt is scheduled to tip-off at 7:00 p.m. and will be available live on the Web at http://athletics.une.edu/stream.asx

In the regular-season meeting between UNE and Colby-Sawyer, the Nor'easters took a 81-72 win in New London, N.H.