Statistics
BIDDEFORD, Maine – After a neck-and-neck first half, Wentworth owned the second half to come away with an 89-73 victory over the University of New England men's basketball team in Wednesday night's Conference of New England battle on Coach Beaudry's Court inside the Harold Alfond Forum.
The Nor'easters (5-11, 3-6 CNE) knocked down eight 3-pointers during the first half, and even held a double-digit lead with less than five minutes before the break, but found themselves trailing at halftime, 45-43, after the Leopards (5-11, 4-5 CNE) embarked on a 15-3 half-ending run. Wentworth's momentum carried into the second half, keeping UNE from ever regaining the lead.
Tyler Stewart stuffed the stat sheet for the Leopards with 19 points, along with 11 rebounds and eight assists – both good for game highs. Jack Connell, the contest's leading scorer, poured in 22 while hitting 5-of-10 from beyond the arc. Nathan Brinkman added 16 points and shot 4-for-5 from deep. The Leopards were 13-for-24 on the night from long range.
Jayden Thornton led the Nor'easters with 15 points, while
Adrian Torres and
Adam Lux followed with 12 apiece.
Henry Stewart was a key part in UNE's strong opening half, catching fire to go 3-for-3 from downtown.
The Nor'easters enjoyed a first-half stretch where they made nine straight from the field, capped off by Lux's 3-pointer at the 6:02 mark that handed UNE its largest lead, 38-25. Wentworth stormed back to take the lead with under a minute remaining with a triple from Connell. The three ball stopped falling in the second half for the Nor'easters, who were just 2-for-10 from the perimeter while the Leopards hit 7-of-13 to outscore the hosts at a 44-30 clip over the final 20 minutes.
UNE looked poised for a comeback with just over four minutes left, cutting the lead to 76-70 after Thornton's quick steal and layup, but Wentworth quieted the momentum on the ensuing possession when Smith knocked down a 3-pointer to kickstart a back-breaking 7-0 run.
The Nor'easters are in action inside the Harold Alfond Forum once again on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 3 p.m. to host Hartford.
