Statistics

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Western New England University reversed an early deficit with a 23-7 run in the middle of the 1st half and never looked back, picking up an 81-66 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) men's basketball result versus the University of New England at the AHL Center on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 8).

Tim Restall and Brian Geitner tallied 12 and nine, respectively, during the six-minute stretch that set the spread at 29-17 with 7:38 to go in the period. UNE reduced the gap to six before the break, but a late triple by Mookie Lester set the difference at 41-32 in favor of the hosts.

The Nor'easters couldn't get any closer than seven (47-40) in the 2nd. After the Golden Bears pushed the margin as high as 20 (73-53), UNE answered with 11 of the next 12 to slice it in half (74-64) with 3:25 left, but it was too much to overcome.

Alex Sikorski led the way for Western New England (4-6, 2-2 CCC) with 21 points -- largely behind 5-of-8 accuracy from long distance -- and 10 assists. Restall made all seven field goal tries off the bench to finish with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Gavin Greene also recorded a double-double of 14 points and 12 boards. Geitner ended with 11 points and seven caroms.

The Golden Bears held a 44-30 edge in the glass and connected on nearly 50 percent of their field goal attempts (31-of-63) in the match. UNE converted at a 37 percent clip (25-of-67).

For the Nor'easters (1-10, 0-4 CCC), Alex Kravchuk topped all players with a season-best 30 points on 12-of-18 shooting from the floor -- his third-career outing at 30 or more. Michael Quinn, off the bench, and Avery DeBrito, returning to the lineup for first time this season, each registered 11 points.

UNE is scheduled to travel to Curry College on Monday afternoon.