BIDDEFORD, Maine - Freshman guard Quentin Thompson (Austin, TX) led a balanced scoring attack with 13 points as the top-seeded University of New England men's basketball team defeated eighth-seeded Western New England College 75-59 in a quarterfinal round game of The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) Tournament Tuesday night (Feb. 24).

Senior forward Johnnie Jefferson (Dallas, TX) and freshman guard Anthony Johnson (Austin, TX) each netted 11 points while senior guard Steve Belmonte (Levittown, NY) added 10 points for the Nor'easters who improved their record to 22-4.

UNE received a big lift from its bench as reserves combined for 20 points.

Western New England College stayed close trailing by only seven (36-29) at halftime, but the hosts never lost its advantage in the second half. 

Sophomore forward Brad Thomka (Springfield, MA) led the Golden Bears with 17 points and seven rebounds. Junior guard Rick Johnson (Springfield, MA) contributed 15 points and five assists.

Senior guard Matt Maynard (Paterson, NJ) reached double figures with 10 points in his final contest.

Senior forward Kyle Fredette (Wallingford, VT) pulled down a game high 15 rebounds in his last appearance.

WNEC held a 43-38 edge off the boards, and although the Nor'easters made only seven of 31 three-point attempts, the Golden Bears were 0-for-12 from long-range.

Western New England College finished with a 9-15 record under rookie coach Chris Agoglia.