Box Score

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- The University of New England overcame an 11-point second-half deficit to extend its win streak to 17 games with a 47-44 victory over Roger Williams University in The Commonwealth Coast Conference men's basketball action Saturday afternoon at the Campus Center.

Leading 25-20 at halftime, the Hawks extended their cushion to 11 (33-22) in the opening two minutes of the second half.  

The Nor'easters responded with a 14-2 run over the ensuing four minutes to take a 36-35 lead at the 14:11 mark.  First-year guard Anthony Johnson (Austin, Texas) had five points during the spurt, and four other players scored, including a fastbreak jumper by senior Johnnie Jefferson (Dallas, Texas) to cap the run.

After a three-pointer by senior guard Billy Barrett (Fairfield, Conn.) put the Hawks back on top, but UNE sophomore Chas Rentrope (Peoria, Ariz.) tied the game at 38-all on a layup.  

Johnson's layup at the 10:56 mark gave UNE the lead for good, then Jefferson tallied five unanswered points to give the Nor'easters a 45-38 advantage.

A Taylor Petrucelli (Stratford, Conn.) free throw with 9:22 remaining put the brakes on UNE's surge, but Roger Williams went scoreless over the next 5:38 and found itself trailing, 46-39.

Senior guard Tucker Bashaw (Williston, Vt.) buried a three to get the Hawks within four (46-42) before UNE junior Marchale Robinson (Baton Rouge, La.) made 1 of 2 free throws with two minutes left to push the lead back up to five (47-42).  

Sophomore center Pat Flanagan (Somerville, Mass.) converted a pair of free throw attempts on RWU's next possession to make it a three-point game.

The Nor'easters would miss a pair of three-point attempts in the final 1:04, giving the Hawks a chance to tie.  The best Roger Williams was able to muster in the closing seconds was a desparation three-point attempt at the buzzer.

UNE won despite going the final 9:53 without a field goal and scoring just four points from the line during that stretch.

Jefferson scored nine of his team-high 12 points in the second half to help UNE rally.  Rentrope came off the bench to score four points and pick up three key steals in nine minutes of playing time.  

The Nor'easters shot just 30.8 percent (16 of 52) from the floor for the contest.

Flanagan controlled play inside for the Hawks, recording game highs of 14 points, nine rebounds and two blocked shots.  Barrett knocked down three 3-pointers and finished with 11 points and six boards.

Roger Williams held a commanding 37-20 rebounding margin but was hampered by 25 turnovers, including 14 after halftime.  The Hawks made half (10 of 20) of their attempts from the floor in the first half but cooled off to convert just 30.8 percent (4 of 13) in the second.

UNE (18-3, 9-0 TCCC) will put its school-record 17-game win streak on the line Tuesday in a road contest at Endicott College (8:00 p.m.).  The Hawks (9-11, 5-4) will look to snap their three-game losing streak when they travel to  Anna Maria College for an 8:00 p.m. contest.