News Release

BIDDEFORD, Maine — BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Freshman forward Nick Farynaz (Gray, Maine) scored 16 points in the second half, including eight in the final 2:47, to help the University of New England edge Wentworth Institute of Technology, 81-79, in Commonwealth Coast Conference men's basketball action at the Campus Center.

With 0:47 to play, Farynaz converted a layup to break a 74-74 tie. Sophomore Mark Oliver (Gloucester, Mass.) came up with a steal on the ensuing possession and fed a streaking Farynaz for a fastbreak conversion with 0:34 on the clock to push the lead to 78-74 and seal the victory.

Both teams played to a 36-36 draw in the first half before the Nor'easters started the second half on a 17-5 run to take a 53-41 lead with 15:21 to play.

The Leopards battled back and took their first lead of the second half (58-57) on a basket by sophomore Frankie Hall (Boston, Mass.) at the 8:51 mark. The lead changed hands six more times before Farynaz gave the Nor'easters the lead for good.

Farynaz finished the evening with 18 points, while sophomore Matt McManus (Cumberland, R.I.) netted 17 and Oliver 14. McManus nailed a trio of 3-pointers and was perfect on four free throw attempts in the final 0:13.

Senior Chris Yost (Madison, N.J.) poured in a game-high 25 points to spearhead the Leopards' attack. First-year forward Matthew Zeszotek (Middleburg Heights, Ohio) and junior Tim Callahan (Clinton, Conn.) each scored 11, and first-year guard Troy Ramey (Newport, R.I.) chipped in with 10.

Winners of three of their last four, the Nor'easters (6-13, 4-6 CCC) will travel to Curry College on Saturday, while Wentworth (4-14, 4-6) has a road date with New England College.

U. OF NEW ENGLAND 81, WENTWORTH 79

WENTWORTH (4-14, 4-6 CCC)
Chris Yost 8-15 7-10 25; Matthew Zeszotek 4-9 2-3 11; Tim Callahan 4-6 2-6 11; Troy Ramey 3-4 2-2 10; Frankie Hall 2-7 5-5 9; 
David Iannotti 4-10 0-1 8; Josh Taylor 0-6 3-4 3; Daniel Mayo 1-1 0-1 2. Totals 26-58 21-32 79.

U. OF NEW ENGLAND (6-13, 4-6 CCC)
Nick Farynaz 8-14 2-2 18; Matt McManus 5-12 4-4 17; Mark Oliver 4-10 5-5 14; Mike Hardy 4-7 1-3 9; Brandon Berthiaume 3-10 3-5 9; 
Tom Button 3-7 2-4 8; Mark Regis 2-5 0-0 6; Dan Mills 0-3 0-0 0; Mike Warner 0-1 0-0 0; Mike Pierce 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 29-70 17-23 81.

Halftime: Tied, 36-36.
3-point goals-Wentworth 6-12 (Troy Ramey 2-3; Chris Yost 2-3; Tim Callahan 1-1; Matthew Zeszotek 1-1; David Iannotti 0-4), 
U. of New England 6-22 (Matt McManus 3-8; Mark Regis 2-4; Mark Oliver 1-4; Dan Mills 0-2; Mike Warner 0-1; Brandon Berthiaume 0-2; 
Mike Hardy 0-1). Rebounds-Wentworth 34 (Tim Callahan 8), U. of New England 49 (Brandon Berthiaume 10).
Assists-Wentworth 10 (Josh Taylor 3), U. of New England 12 (Matt McManus 3; Brandon Berthiaume 3).