BIDDEFORD, Maine – Suffolk men's basketball returned to the win column as it weathered a feisty University of New England in see-saw action to take the Conference of New England (CNE) contest, 75-69 Tuesday night at Harold Alfond Forum.

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 75 | University of New England 69
RECORDS: Suffolk (7-6, 3-1 CNE) | University of New England (6-7, 2-2 CNE) 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Suffolk commanded the first five minutes to take an 11-5 edge, that was short lived as the Nor'Easters stormed back over the next seven minutes to even the scored at 16-all. 
• From there, the lead flipped four times and the playing field leveled just as many with the last coming at 29-all when Declan Davis buried a layup with 2:13 to go before the teams went to the locker rooms. 
• UNE called a timeout, and it ended up playing off as the host closed the opening half with five unanswered to send Suffolk into the break down, 34-29. 
• Four minutes into the second stanza and the score was even once again at 38-all and two possessions later James Johns knocked down a triple to send the Rams in front, 41-38. 
• From there, the bounced back and forth four times with Johns once against sending Suffolk ahead, 48-47, at the midway point of the second half.  
• Momentum on its side, the blue-and-gold managed to build a nine-point cushion, 67-58, at the 3:30 mark. 
• The Nor'Easters kept things interesting as it outscored Suffolk 8-2 to knot things at 69 with 52 seconds left.
• The game would be decided at the free throw line. Nick Verdile went 4-for-4 and Marquis White sunk his pair to clinch the conference win for the blue-and-gold, 75-69. 

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• Verdile poured in 25 points with five triples and one steal. 
• Jones registered a 22-point, 12-rebound double-double with two helpers. 
• Harrison Neil provided nine caroms, seven points, two dimes, one block and one takeaway off the bench. 
• Marquis White had an all-around effort as well with six helpers, five rebounds, five points and one steal. 
• Suffolk held a 41-38 edge in rebounds. 
• The Rams converted the Nor'Easters 12 turnovers into 14 points.  

NOTEWORTHY

• Suffolk and UNE met for the 29th time. 
• The Rams moved to 17-12 all-time against the Nor'Easeters. 
• Suffolk defeated UNE in three straight games for the first time since Jan. 18, 2023-Jan. 4, 2024. 
• The blue-and-gold now boasts a 7-2 ledger versus UNE in the Jeff Juron era.  

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk brings winning momentum back to Boston Saturday, Jan. 10 when it hosts Johnson & Wales at 2:00 p.m. at Larry E. and Michael S. Smith Court.