Statistics

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Western New England University picked up a 98-88 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) decision over the University of New England men's basketball team on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 15) at the AHL Center.

Alex Sikorski had a game-high 30 points for the Golden Bears (15-9, 10-5 CCC), while Mike McGuire added 22 and Tim Reilly chipped in 15. Zachary Tavitian totaled a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds; his 6-of-9 shooting from the floor contributed to the team's 50.8 percent accuracy on the day (31-for-61). WNEU also had a 13-point advantage at the charity stripe (28-15).

The five starters for the Nor'easters (13-10, 7-7 CCC) were fairly even in points and rebounds, combining to score 83 and collect 36 off the glass. Avery DeBrito led the way with 20 points, and Siddiq Canty recorded 18 more (8 boards) while Jackson McCoy went for 17 points (7 rebounds). Alex Kravchuk supported with 15 points (9 rebounds) and Drake Gavin tossed in another 13.

UNE led by two in the early going before the hosts assumed a 28-18 edge just past the midway mark of the opening period. The Nor'easters erased the deficit in less than three minutes with 11 unanswered (29-28), but immediately fell behind again and the Golden Bears settled on a 44-38 cushion at halftime.

The visitors kept things close as the 2nd stanza began, and UNE shifted back on top at 64-61. Western New England registered the next seven, though, and maintained the lead for the last 11 minutes. After a McGuire trey with 7:30 left, the spread was at least two possessions the rest of the way. The gap hit 10 again (89-79) before UNE's final push trimmed the margin to five (93-88) inside the final 55 seconds.

The Nor'easters enter the deciding week of the regular-season with two crucial games on the docket -- Wednesday at Gordon College (6-8 CCC) and next Saturday back home against Roger Williams University (6-8 CCC).