Box Score

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Saint Joseph's College of Maine jumped out to a 15-0 lead less than four minutes into the game and cruised from there, picking up an 85-53 win over the University of New England in men's basketball action Wednesday evening at the Campus Center.

The Monks (1-0) shot a blistering 67.9 percent (19 of 28) in the opening frame en route to a 47-19 cushion at the break. Juniors Chris Petzy (Kensington, N.H.) and Zach O'Brien (Schenectady, N.Y.) paced the visiting team in the first half with a combined 25 points -- their total for the game.

UNE struggled to just 7-of-25 (28 percent) shooting in the period, and only converted 27.3 percent (3-for-11) of its free throws.

After intermission, St. Joe's pushed the lead to as many as 36 at the 11:54 mark, and the margin never dipped below 30 points the rest of the way.

Senior Tyler Kelley (Saco, Maine) scored 12 in the second half to post a game-high 15 for the Monks. Sophomore Julio Vazquez (Waterbury, Conn.) added 10. In all, 13 players found their way into the scoring column for St. Joe's, which finished 32-for-57 (56.1 percent) from the floor.

For the Nor'easters (0-2), junior Ryan Knotek (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) went 5-for-5 after halftime to tally a team-high 14 points to go along with six boards. Classmate Marcus Winn (Austin, Texas) chipped in with 10 points.

The Monks return to Standish for their home-opener Tuesday against UMaine Farmington (7 p.m.).

UNE will play in the Blazer Tip-Off Tournament hosted by Elms College this weekend. Big Blue is set to face St. Joseph's College (Long Island) in Saturday's contest (8 p.m.).


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