Statistics

BIDDEFORD, Maine – Keenan Robertson's game-high 26 points, including 18 in the second half, helped Suffolk earn a road win over the University of New England men's basketball team, 84-75, in Wednesday night's Conference of New England opener on Court Beaudry's Court inside the Harold Alfond Forum.
 
After a first half that featured 11 lead changes, the Nor'easters (2-6, 0-1 CNE) were within two points of the Rams (4-2, 1-0 CNE) with less than five minutes remaining before surrendering a crucial 5-0 Suffolk run that handed the visitors a 75-68 lead with under three minutes to play. Adrian Torres' 3-pointer gave UNE life, cutting the deficit to four (75-71) at the 2:40 mark, but clutch free throw shooting by Suffolk, plus a key triple from Nick Verdile in the waning minutes, slammed the door on the Nor'easters.
 
Adam Lux paced UNE with 18 points, including 16 in the first half, and was joined in double figures by Torres (12) and Kha Cao Ra James (11). Each of the Nor'easters' double-digit scorers knocked down two 3-pointers, highlighted by James going 2-for-2 from distance. Suffolk's Robertson recorded the game's lone double-double, pairing his standout scoring effort with a game-high 14 rebounds. He was 8-for-8 at the free throw line in the second half and 9-for-10 on the evening.
 
UNE's 50 percent shooting clip in the first half (15-of-30) was cooled to less than 40 percent (13-of-33) in the second half. Suffolk, which shot better than 50 percent in both halves, finished the game better than 53 percent (30-of-57).
 
Neither side led by more than six in a back-and-forth first half. After a James' triple - his second of the evening - UNE tied the game at 33-33 and started a 7-0 run that would give the Nor'easters a 37-33 edge. Suffolk reclaimed the lead with just under two minutes remaining until the break and grabbed their 41-39 halftime edge on their final possession with Devin Dzikas' 3-pointer.
 
UNE never led in the second half, but was within one on multiple occasions. Suffolk looked to build a lead, having earned a 66-60 advantage at the 7:17 mark with Cole Levangie's trey, but was UNE was back within two (68-66) less than two minutes later. An and-one from Danny Yardemian swung momentum with less than four minutes remaining and allowed the Rams to take a 73-68 lead, which they would not look back from.
 
The Nor'easters are back in action on Saturday, Dec. 7 with a 3 p.m. tip-off at Hartford.