12/8/07

Men's basketball topped by UNE

BIDDEFORD -- The University of New England men's basketball team placed all five starters in double figures to lead the Nor'easters to a 70-57 win over the University of Men's Farmington at the Campus Center on Saturday.

The victory gets the Nor'easters back to the .500 mark at 4-4, while the Beavers slipped to 4-3.

The Beavers started quickly, establishing a 14-6 lead 5:37 into the contest. UNE responded with six unanswered points to 14-12. The two teams went back and forth through the middle stages of the half before the Nor'Easters outscored the Beavers 10-2 over the final 4:21 of the first half to take a 39-32 advantage into intermission.

The Nor'easters outscored Farmington 15-3 over the initial 8:26 of the second half to claim a 54-35 advantage. The Beavers did not go away getting as close as 62-57 with 2:21 remaining, but Johnnie Jefferson (Dallas, Texas) knocked down a pivotal 3-pointer on UNE's ensuing possession to quell the rally.

Jayrkyri Simpson (East Cleburne, Texas) played a pivotal role in the win with 16 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Steve Belmonte (Levittown, NY) scored 15 points for UNE with Jefferson and Isaac Stickney (Rumford, ME) combining for 26 points and 19 rebounds and Chas Rentrope (Peoria, AZ) tossing in 12 points.

Sean Fry (Jay, ME) posted a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds to lead the way for the Beavers. Isaac Hutchinson (Oakland, ME) and Matt St. John (Wayne, ME) each added 13 points.

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