Statistics

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- New England College overcame an early 10-point deficit with a 26-1 surge over the last six minutes of the 1st half and maintained the advantage for an 81-76 men's basketball result against the University of New England on Saturday afternoon (Mar. 6) at the Harold Alfond Forum.

The Pilgrims (2-3) were paced by Jamal Allen, who hit half (6) of the team's three-pointers and totaled 21 points. Stephen Fama, Devon Okowuga, and Michael Tavilla all registered double-doubles in support. Fama had 15 points and 12 rebounds, and Tavilla posted 10 points with 12 caroms. Okowuga went for 14 points, 10 boards, and five steals, and Calvin Cheek scored six to go with eight rebounds and seven assists.

NEC recorded 14 steals on 20 UNE turnovers, and converted those into 25 points going the other way.

Jordan Bagshaw topped the Nor'easters (1-4) with a career-high 17 points, and Avery DeBrito netted 13 points with five assists. Ric Castillo also scored 13, blocked a couple, and hauled in a personal-best 15 rebounds. Alex Kravchuk tossed in 11 points.

The hosts raced out to a 12-2 start, and that same margin (24-14) existed approaching the 7:00 mark. After a trey by Allen and a hoop from Tavilla, Okowuga rattled off 10 straight points to push the Pilgrims in front. The NEC gap extended to 15 (40-25) before UNE got the closing basket of the period.

The Nor'easters started strong in the 2nd, including a pair of three-pointers by Bagshaw, and back-to-back triples from Blake Smith sliced the spread to one (47-46) with 14:42 remaining. However, Allen and Tavilla responded immediately from long range to restore some breathing room.

A Kravchuk three-pointer brought UNE to within three (58-55) past the midway mark of the frame, but New England College gradually worked the advantage back up to 15 (81-66) over the ensuing six minutes.

The Pilgrims amassed 22 offensive rebounds on the way to a 53-47 edge on the glass, and shot 35 percent (30-for-85) from the floor. The Nor'easters connected at a 41 percent (29-for-71) clip in the contest.

The sides will meet again Sunday (3 p.m.) in New Hampshire.