Box Score Box Score

BIDDEFORD, Maine - Junior forward Ryan Knotek (Saratoga Springs, NY) scored a career-high 24 points as the University of New England men's basketball team defeated Western New England 58-46 Saturday (Jan. 29) for its first win in The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC).

The Nor'easters are now 3-16 overall and 1-6 in the conference while the Golden Bears drop to 1-16 and 1-6.

Knotex connected on 9-of-15 shots from the field (including a three-pointer) and 5-of-7 free throws. He also pulled down a team high six rebounds and had a pair of steals.

Senior forward Brad Thomka (Springfield, MA) compiled a double-double for the Golden Bears with 18 points and 10 rebounds. He made 6-of-11 field goal attempts along with 6-of-7 charity shots, and blocked a pair of shots in a solid outing.

Junior guard Andre Shaw (New York, NY) added seven points.

Western New Engand trailed by ony two at halftime (24-22) and stayed close in the second half cutting a five-point deficit to one at 47-46 following a pair of free throws by Thomka with 4:16 remaining. Knotek answered with a three-point lead for a 50-46 advantage at the 4:02 mark and the Golden Bears didn't score the rest of the way.

During the game, Western New England's Chris Agoglia and Jason Mulligan of UNE, along with their assistants, wore sneakers in support of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) "Coaches vs. Cancer" Day program.