Statistics

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Cameron Collins led the way to 26 points as Salve Regina University topped the University of New England men's basketball squad, 76-69, in a Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) game Monday night (Jan. 17) at Coach Beaudry's Court inside the Harold Alfond Forum.

The Seahawks only scored one point in the final six minutes but had enough of a cushion down the stretch to hang on and improve to 10-4 overall (5-2 CCC). The Nor'easters slip back to 2-13, 1-7 in league play.

Salve Regina doubled-up UNE (30-15) over a 10-minute stretch in the 2nd half to take its biggest lead of the contest at 75-57 with 6:11 remaining. But three consecutive turnovers gave the hosts a small opening, and Alex Kravchuk took advantage, notching a three-point play in between two triples. Avery DeBrito made it a 12-0 spurt in less than 90 seconds, as the Nor'easters drew within six (75-69).

However, nothing clicked for either side from that moment forward. The Seahawks went 0-for-4 from the floor with three turnovers, and Kevin Kelly made 1-of-3 free throws in the last minute once a series a fouls finally put the visitors in the bonus. Meanwhile, UNE came up empty on all eight of its field goal tries.

Collins shot 10-of-16 during live action to power his game-high scoring total, and his 10 rebounds paced a 41-26 edge on the glass. Kelly tossed in 14 off the bench, while Clay Brochu added 13 points and Mikey Spencer accounted for 10. Salve overcame 25 turnovers by making 54 percent of its shots (29-of-54), including 65 percent in the opening period.

Kravchuk finished with 20 points for the Nor'easters. Ric Castillo shot 8-of-12 from the field and collected a double-double of 16 points with 10 rebounds. Drake Gavin tacked on 15 points, and DeBrito, who registered four assists and four steals, tallied 12 of his 14 points following intermission. The hosts knocked down 42 percent of their attempts on the night (28-of-66).

UNE held an 11-9 lead early on, but relinquished a 24-9 run as the Seahawks went ahead for good (33-20). Collins scored the last seven in the half for his team, and the difference was 43-31 at the break. Collins then began the 2nd with a hoop, only to see DeBrito dial up seven in an 11-0 burst that closed the gap to 45-42. A trey from Brochu halted the momentum shift, and SRU gained some separation from there.

The Nor'easters host Wentworth Institute of Technology on Wednesday (7:30 p.m.).