Statistics
BIDDEFORD, Maine -- The University of New England closed on a 12-5 run to come away with a 62-56 men's basketball triumph over Rivier University as the Jim Beaudry Classic got underway Friday evening (Nov. 11) on Coach Beaudry's Court inside the Harold Alfond Forum.
While the event matchups for both days were predetermined, the Nor'easters (1-1) will now square off with the winner from the nightcap, Plymouth State University, on Saturday at 2 p.m. The Panthers took care of the University of Maine-Presque Isle by a 90-58 spread. Rivier and UMPI will meet in Saturday's opener at noon.
UNE scored nine unanswered just before the midway mark of the 2nd half to gain its largest lead of the match (47-38). The Nor'easters hadn't trailed all night, however the next 11 went for the Raiders to slip in front (49-47) with 5:50 to go. Nikolas Pignone accounted the last nine in the stretch.
Adrian Torres countered immediately for the hosts, banking in a trey from the left wing (50-49), only to see two free throws put the visitors right back up. After empty trips both ways,
Drake Gavin grabbed an offensive board and found
Winston Bryan for the go-ahead jumper with 4:13 left (52-21).
Winston hit a triple at the 3:09 mark to pad the cushion, and while Pignone chipped into the deficit (55-53), Winston canned a couple at the line with 1:54 on the clock to keep the pressure on (57-53). Pharaoh Davis responded with a basket for Rivier (57-55), but Gavin scored a hoop plus a foul with 1:12 showing to really put UNE in the driver's seat (60-55).
The Raiders got one back from Davis, but missed three freebies as the margin held at four (60-56). Coming out of a timeout with 11 ticks remaining,
Ray Evans essentially sealed it for the Nor'easters by blocking a corner three-point attempt, stealing the ball from the offensive rebounder, and running out some time before adding two more at the charity stripe.
[Watch]
Bryan made 6-of-10 field goals on the way to a team-best 18 points, while Evans tacked on 11 to the winning cause. Gavin went for nine points and game highs of 12 rebounds and four assists.Â
Pignone totaled 20 points to pace Rivier. Davis registered 16 points and six caroms.
