The win snaps a five-game losing streak for the Nor'easters, raising their record to 8-16, 4-11 in Commonwealth Coast Conference play. The Pilgrims (10-14, 5-10 CCC) lost for the fourth straight outing.
Trailing 34-24 at the half, UNE erased the deficit over the opening 10 minutes of the second half to make things interesting. McManus and Isaac Stickney '08 (Rumford, Maine) combined to score 14 points during that stretch as the Nor'easters closed the gap to 42-40.
The remaining time in regulation featured seven lead changes and the same number of ties. UNE's Tom Button '07 (Lyndeborough, N.H.) hit a short jump-hook with 40 seconds to play to knot things at 57-all and force overtime.
The two teams went back-and-forth during the first two minutes of OT before McManus nailed back-to-back 3-pointers followed by one free throw to provide the hosts with a 64-60 lead--an advantage they would never relenquish.
McManus ended with a game-high 22 points to crack the 1,500-point barrier for his career, moving him into seventh place on UNE's all-time list. He was 3-for-4 from beyond the arc and 5-for-6 at the free throw line.
The frontcourt duo of Stickney and Button was immense. Button established career highs with 18 points and 18 rebounds, while Stickney chipped in with 12 points, 15 boards and seven blocked shots.
Patrick Quinn '07 (Holbrook, N.Y.) led the way for NEC with 20 points, including four 3-pointers. Bobby Montrond '09 (Brockton, Mass.) scored 18 points, Ryan Jaziri '08 (Norwalk, Conn.) had 12 and Antoine Sylvia '07 (Brockton, Mass.) 10 to go with 11 rebounds and three blocks.
The Nor'easters will conlude their season on Saturday, playing host to Nichols College at 3:00 p.m.
A win on Saturday versus Salve Regina University (home--3:00 p.m.) would wrap-up a CCC Tournament berth for New England College.