Connell, Goy Guide Men's Basketball to Tight Comeback over UNE

BOSTON, Mass. – Junior Jack Connell (Walpole, Mass.) of the Wentworth Institute of Technology men's basketball team (6-8, 2-4 CCC) paced the Leopards, leading with 35 points, including 23 in the second half, in a tight-knit contest against the University of New England (5-9, 0-6 CCC) where the Leopards prevailed late with an 86-85 Commonwealth Coast Conference triumph.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Connell opened the scoring in the first half, draining a three that was matched by a Nor'Easters' three from junior Adam Lux (Arundel, Maine). After a Wentworth score marked a 5-3 lead, UNE rattled off 11 straight points, including three pointers by Lux, sophomore Adrian Torres (Dracut, Mass.), and junior Jack Pyzynski (Saco, Maine) to take a commanding 14-5 advantage. Wentworth cut the deficit to five at 14-9 before another Pyzynski three marked a 17-9 score.
• After a layup by junior Tyler Stewart (East Taunton, Mass.) cut the Leopards' deficit to 17-11, Torres punched two and UNE got a three from sophomore Jayden Thornton (Lynn, Mass.) to raise their lead to 22-11. The two teams traded scores, working the score up to 28-16, before dueling three-pointers marked a 31-19 game. Three points by Stewart cut the deficit to 31-22 before another UNE basket was matched with a three by Connell, marking a 33-25 game.
• Lux drained a three for UNE that was matched by one from senior Sam Goy (Derry, N.H.), marking a 36-28 score, before Goy and Pyzynski traded two points apiece to raise the score to 38-30. The two teams traded scores to a 41-35 game before a layup by junior Nathaniel Smith (Beacon Falls, Conn.) cut the Leopards' deficit to 41-37. Torres and Connell swapped scores in the final going of the opening frame, with UNE holding a 45-39 lead.
• Back-to-back threes from Connell ignited a 6-1 run by the Black & Gold to open the second half, cutting the deficit to one at 46-45. The two teams swapped scores until a Connell jump shot sprung the Leopards into a 51-48 lead before a Pyzynski three tied the game at 51-all. A 4-0 run for the Leopards was immediately matched by UNE, marking a 55-55 tie, before a Goy three and a layup to follow later gave the hosts a 62-58 lead. A Thornton three, however, cut the deficit to 62-61.
• With the help of two three-pointers by Thornton, the Nor'Easters jumped out to a 69-62 lead before a Connell three cut the deficit to 69-65. The two teams traded points to a 73-71 game before UNE scored eight of the next 12 points to hold a 81-75 lead. The two teams swapped baskets before a Connell three marked an 83-80 score. Lux notched a layup to put the visitors ahead, 85-80.
• A three by Goy with 58 seconds left cut the Leopards' deficit to just two at 85-83. Later, Connell made one of two free throws, cutting the deficit to 85-84. On the last possession of the game, Connell was awarded two free throws, sank both, and the Leopards held off the Nor'Easters for a narrow 86-85 CCC win.
• Connell led all scorers with 35 points, going 10-from-19 from the floor and 6-for-12 from three. Goy added 23, shooting 9-for-14. Pyzynski led the Nor'Easters with 23 points, followed by four others in double-figures.

SERIES NOTES:

• Winners of four straight, Wentworth doubles up the all-time series, 32-16.

NEXT UP:

• The Leopards host Gordon in CCC action on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.

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