Statistics

BIDDEFORD, Maine – Jack Pyzynski poured in 28 points, including the go-ahead bucket with 13 seconds remaining, to help the University of New England men's basketball team defeat Hartford in Saturday afternoon's Conference of New England thriller, 82-79, on Coach Beaudry's Court inside the Harold Alfond Forum. 
 
Pyzynski's 28 were his most points in a game during his time at UNE, up from his 26-point performance just three games prior at Curry (Jan. 15), and it came with impressive efficiency, with the senior going 10-for-14 from the field and a perfect 7-for-7 at the free throw line.
 
The Nor'easters (6-11, 4-6 CNE), who led by as much as seven in the second half, found themselves trailing in the game's final 30 seconds after a deep 2-point field goal by Hartford's Troy Santos, who matched Pyzynski with 28 points in the contest. UNE knew who to turn to ensuing possession with the shot clock turned off, feeding Pyzynski, who gathered the ball in the post before faking right and going left to score off the glass.
   
With Hartford (4-13, 2-8 CNE) now having the chance for a game-winning shot, Adrian Torres came up with a key defensive play, knocking the ball loose from Santos' hands and getting the Nor'easters the ball back with only five seconds remaining. Adam Lux, who scored 14 in the second half, knocked down two free throws with just over a second left and time expired as the Hawks made a baseball pass from the baseline.
 
Free throw shooting was a key to victory for the Nor'easters, who were 23-for-25 from the charity stripe. In addition to Pyzynski's 7-for-7 showing, Lux was 6-for-6 to finish with 19 points. Hartford saw more opportunities at the line, but was not as efficient, finishing 25-for-37 on the afternoon. Kaosi Chijioke recorded the game's only double-double, grabbing a game-high 13 rebounds to pair with his 17 points.
 
The Hawks jumped on top in the first half, building a 33-20 lead as Santos caught fire with three straight made baskets, including a couple of 3-pointers, to pioneer a 10-0 Hartford run. The Nor'easters salvaged a 45-38 deficit by the end of the first half before taking their first lead of the second half with Pyzynski's bucket at the 15:22 mark. Zach Federico knocked down a triple with 10 minutes remaining to hand UNE a 68-61 lead, its largest of the game (Watch).
 
A 7-0 Hawks run later on, capped off by a go-ahead jumper by Santos, gave Hartford a 77-76 lead with 1:33 left. Two made free throws by Jayden Thornton put the Nor'easters back on top, and Santos had the answer with another go-ahead bucket, this time with less than 30 seconds left, setting the stage for Pyzynski's 10th field goal of the game to be the most crucial.
 
UNE is slated to hit the road for two straight following Saturday's victory, beginning with Suffolk on Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 7:30 p.m.