Statistics

STANDISH, Maine -- Saint Joseph's College shot 75.7 percent (28-for-37) from the floor during the closing 20 minutes to extend on an eight-point halftime cushion on the way to a 118-81 men's basketball victory over the University of New England on Saturday afternoon (Dec. 30) at the Harold Alfond Center.

The Nor'easters (3-7) cut the deficit to 48-43 with the initial basket of the final period, but the Monks (5-5) had the advantage in double digits (68-57) for good by the 14:46 mark. The hosts had led by as many as 16 (34-18) in the 1st frame, only to see UNE trim the gap down with the last six points heading into the break.

Ian Mileikis scored 15 of his game-high 21 points following the intermission to pace the winners, and Darian Berry went for 20 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Jack Casale tallied 16 points in the 2nd, and ended with 19 to go with eight boards. After Aaron Hall's 14 points, Tatsuaki Sakai and Jae Johns each contributed 10 to make it six SJC players in double figures.

For the game, the Monks made 67 percent of their field goals and 44 percent (11-of-25) from deep, while commanding the glass to the tune of 58-35. Saint Joseph's limited the visitors to 34 percent shooting (32-for-94) in the contest.

Leading the way for UNE was Alex Kravchuk with 12 points and four steals. Matt Lorman added 11 points, while Matt Hobbs tossed in eight. Drew Patno and Daron Hoges, Jr. both recorded seven points; Hoges also shared the match-best of eight rebounds.

The Nor'easters will spend the remainder of the season in their Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) schedule, beginning with No.24 Nichols College in Biddeford on Thursday (6 p.m.).