Statistics

BEVERLY, Mass. -- Endicott College doubled up the University of New England over the last 5:27 (14-7) to pull out a 72-67 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) men's basketball result at MacDonald Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon (Nov. 20).

After the Nor'easters had clawed back in front (60-58) with an 11-0 spurt, Cameron Ray hit a triple for the Gulls to quiet the surge. Alex Kravchuk countered with a bucket, but a three-point play by Adam Lux put the hosts on top for good (64-62) with 2:32 to go. While a free throw from Kravchuk on the next possession split the difference, back-to-back successful trips set Endicott with a 68-63 lead at the 1:25 mark.

The next points came from UNE's Ric Castillo with 16 ticks left (68-65), but Billy Arsenault sank a pair at the line moments later to all but seal it with 10 seconds remaining.

Jalen Echevarria paced the Gulls (3-1, 1-0 CCC) with 19 points. Arsenault went for 14 points, six rebounds, and eight assists. Lux totaled 12 on 5-of-7 shooting off the bench. The margin was essentially settled at the charity stripe, where EC had a seven-point edge (12-5).

For the Nor'easters (1-5, 0-1 CCC), Kravchuk dialed up 16 points, seven rebounds, and six steals. Drake Gavin collected a second consecutive double-double, this time of 15 points and a career-best 15 boards, and added five assists to his line. Ray Evans had 11 of his 14 points before halftime, and Castillo recorded 10 points with seven rebounds.

UNE won the battle on the glass (43-31), which included 11 offensive caroms that turned into 18 second-chance points.

The game's first significant swing (7-0) was generated by Echevarria, who scored a quick five to give Endicott a 30-21 advantage. After the gap widened to 12 (39-27), the Nor'easters cut into the deficit with the last seven of the opening period. A Castillo trey capped the initial 20 minutes, making it 39-34.

Two hoops from Gavin around a three-pointer by Kravchuk vaulted UNE ahead (41-39) at the beginning of the 2nd -- marking 14 unanswered points. However, the hosts responded with 15 of the ensuing 18 -- topped off by Echevarria and Lux connecting from downtown -- to assume a 54-44 cushion.

Kravchuk, who had 14 of his total in the final session, jump-started the Nor'easter rally prior to the home stretch with a pair of treys.

UNE will be back in Biddeford on Tuesday (7:30 p.m.) to face Bowdoin College.