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BIDDEFORD, Maine – Balanced scoring helped the University of New England men's basketball lead by as many as 22 in the second half, and eventually close out a 95-81 victory over New England College in Saturday's non-conference tilt on Coach Beaudry's Court.
 
Jayden Thornton drained four 3-pointers and scored 16 of his 21 total points in the first half, helping UNE (2-3, 0-0 CNE) carry a 50-31 lead into halftime. Zach Boulay matched Thornton in the scoring column, and Adam Lux followed with 18, 15 of which came in the second half. Adrian Torres dished out a career-high 13 assists and scored 11 points to notch his first double-double of the season.
 
The Pilgrims (0-5, 0-1 GNAC) were led by Alex Williams' 19-point, 16-rebound double-double. NEC outrebounded UNE, 41-28, but committed 12 more turnovers than the Nor'easters (22-10).
 
Both sides were effective from beyond the arc with UNE connecting on 11-of-28 and NEC going 7-of-17. Much of the Nor'easters shooting success was thanks to Thornton, who knocked down triples on three straight possessions starting at the 7:08 mark of the first half to ultimately hand UNE a 30-27 lead (Watch). Thornton's first triple was the start of a 33-6 UNE run that spanned the end of the first half and the opening possession of the second half, when Lux nailed a 3-pointer to give the Nor'easters their largest lead of the game (53-31).
 
NEC chipped away at the deficit for much of the second half and eventually cut UNE's lead to single digits, 85-76, with just under four minutes remaining. Lux's bucket at the 3:18 mark provided a crucial answer for the Nor'easters, who were able to lead by double digits for the remainder.
 
Following Saturday's win, UNE will head to Dean on Tuesday, Nov. 26 for a 5 p.m. tip-off.