Statistics
Highlights
BIDDEFORD, Maine – The University of New England clung to a 34-32 halftime lead before blowing past Gordon College in the second half to chalk up an 87-67 victory in Wednesday night's Conference of New England opener on Coach Beaudry's Court inside the Harold Alfond Forum.
Adam Lux entered the game needing 19 points to reach 1,000 in his collegiate career, and achieved that milestone with less than a minute to go to finish with a game-high 20 points. Lux's career began at Endicott College, where he scored 63 points, and the senior now has 938 points across three seasons at UNE.
Jayden Thornton played a key role in the Nor'easters' dominant second half, where he scored each of his 17 points. UNE (5-4, 1-0) shot nearly 60 percent (16-for-28) and hit 19 of its 25 free-throw attempts over the final 20 minutes, outscoring the Fighting Scots (1-6, 1-1) 53-35 in the second half.
Lux's 20 points came with a game-high 14 rebounds, good for his fourth double-double in the last five games. Lux knocked down a buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the first half to give the Nor'easters their first lead, and the hosts never trailed again.
Ryan Brooks led Gordon with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Alex Daniel and Sean Quanico contributed 15 and 11, respectively.
Jaelen Jackson followed Lux with 19 for the Nor'easters, who had five in double figures, including
Kha Cao Ra James, who recorded three blocks, eight rebounds and a pair of steals in addition to his 11 points.
The Nor'easters never made a large run in the second half, but quietly added to their lead, eventually holding a double-digit advantage midway through the frame. Thornton's hot second half came with a few momentum-swinging plays, including an and-one with 12:52 remaining that gave UNE a 53-44 lead. He was also fouled while shooting a three with 5:49 to go and drained each free throw to provide a comfortable 12-point edge, 66-54.
The Nor'easters' conference slate continues Saturday, Dec. 6 with a visit to Roger Williams at 3 p.m.
