Statistics

BOSTON -- Suffolk University saw a 10-point cushion reduced to three late before finishing off a 70-61 result against the University of New England in a Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) men's basketball matchup Saturday afternoon (Feb. 18) at Smith Court.

The Rams conclude the regular-season slate at 16-9 overall and 11-7 in league contests, earning the No.5 seed in the upcoming 2023 CCC Men's Basketball Championship.

UNE's campaign comes to a close with a record of 2-23 (0-18 CCC).

William Rowe made 8-of-10 shots from the field to lead all players with 20 points for Suffolk, and collected seven boards. Keenan Robertson put forth a 15-point, eight-rebound, three-block performance, and Cole LaVangie added 13 points. Aidan Sullivan went for 10 points and nine assists. The hosts totaled a 40-31 rebounding edge and shot 44 percent from the floor.

For the Nor'easters, Adrian Torres wound up with 16 points and three steals. Winston Bryan contributed 13 points, while Zach Boulay tacked on 11. Zach Federico hit 3-of-5 from downtown for nine points, and Sam McElliott pulled in a team-best seven caroms.

The Rams had early leads of five but UNE was on top at 26-22 with 4:34 left in the 1st half. However, 14 of the ensuing 18 points were scored in Suffolk's hoop to settle on a four-point advantage favoring the hosts at intermission.

Suffolk increased the margin to 59-49 with 8:55 on the clock in the 2nd, but after more than three minutes without points from either side, the Nor'easters began to chip away at the deficit. Ten of the next 13 went for the visiting squad, including one of Federico's triples in the middle, and Bryan's third free throw of the stretch trimmed the gap to 62-59 with 1:42 to play.

Following a Rams turnover, UNE had two looks at tying things up from distance on the next trip but neither could fall. Forced into fouling, Sullivan drained four consecutive attempts from the charity stripe to pad the lead to 66-59 with 30 ticks remaining.