Statistics

BOSTON – After a first-half deadlock, Suffolk dominated the second half to chalk up a 92-64 Conference of New England win over the University of New England men's basketball team in Tuesday night's matchup on Smith Court.
 
UNE (6-12, 4-7 CNE) overcame a nine-point deficit in the first half to enter the break with a 35-35 tie, but was unable to keep up in the second half as the Rams (12-6, 8-3 CNE) shot nearly 70 percent from the field (20-for-29) in the second half.
 
Five from Suffolk scored in double figures, led by Keenan Robertson and Danny Yardemian, who netted 21 and 20, respectively. Those two, along with Cole LeVangie, were in double figures during the second half alone. Jayden Thornton paced the Nor'easters in the scoring column with 14.
 
Boosted by their hot shooting in the second half, the Rams shot well above 50 percent from the floor  (34-for-60) on the evening. UNE was held under 40 percent (21-of-57).
 
Suffolk threatened to pull away early, grabbing a 19-10 lead with over 12 minutes still remaining in the first half, but UNE hung around and eventually took a 30-26 lead at the 3:28 mark with Kha Cao Ra James and Jayden Thornton draining back-to-back triples.  
 
The Rams reclaimed the lead on the opening possession of the second half as Levangie connected from distance, and it was Levangie at the free throw line six minutes later that gave Suffolk the game's first double-digit lead, 53-43. The Nor'easters battled back to trail by as little as five, but a 16-2 run by the Rams created an insurmountable deficit.
 
UNE's two-game road stretch concludes on Saturday, Feb. 1 with a 3 p.m. tip-off at Western New England. The Nor'easters are then slated to return home on Wednesday, Feb. 5 to host Endicott.