SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (December 2, 2023) – Western New England junior Jake Harrison put together 30 points and 13 rebounds in a 93-75 win over the University of New England on Saturday night, marking ten straight wins for the Golden Bears over the Nor'easters.

Records:

• Western New England: 5-3, 1-1 CCC
• University of New England: 5-4, 0-2 CCC

How it Happened:
A quick 6-0 scoring run would force the Nor'easters to call an early timeout, less than two minutes into the game, as Gavin Greene, Cody Palazzesi, and Mike Resnick would get to the rim with ease to put the Golden Bears ahead. UNE would find their rhythm after the timeout and put up a 6-2 scoring run by the Golden Bears to get within two points. Palazzesi would stuff the scoring run for UNE, coming away with four points in 20 seconds to give WNE a 12-6 lead with 14:22 to play in the opening half. Ryan Michaels would dial up a three-ball, collecting his first bucket of the season on home court, while Jake Harrison would contribute on the offensive end for Western New England as well. Max Jones' three-pointer with 11:35 to play would give WNE a ten-point lead at 21-11, their biggest lead of the game thus far. Western New England would score three straight triples, with Jones and Mike Resnick firing from distance, as the Golden Bears expanded their lead to 28-14 with just over eight minutes to play in the first half. UNE would attempt to cut Western New England's lead to single digits twice, though Jake Harrison would catch fire, scoring five quick points while Will LaPlante III connected on back-to-back three-pointers to give WNE a 45-29 lead. UNE would score the final four points of the half, including a layup from Adrian Torres just before the half expired, as Western New England would take a 45-33 lead after the first half.

A scoring flurry would open the second half of play as Mike Renick and Gavin Greene would connect on buckets, while UNE would answer with a layup and a three-point shot from Jayden Thornton as Western New England would lead 51-38 with 17:31 still to play in the half. Jake Harrison and Brian Geitner would continue to dominate for Western New England on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Harrison would put Western New England ahead by 16 points with a made layup inside the paint with 15 minutes to play. UNE would go on a 6-0 scoring run to cut that lead to ten points in just over a minute. From there, Western New England would use an 8-0 scoring run to go back in front by 18 points, matching their largest lead of the game. Harrison would contribute six of those eight points on the run. The Nor'easters and Golden Bears would go back and forth through the midway point of the second half. UNE would get their deficit down to as little as six points with 8:35 to play when Zach Boulay connected on a layup for the Nor'easters, as UNE would trail 72-66. Western New England's offense would turn up the pressure from there, finishing the game on a 21-9 scoring run to put the game away. Brian Geitner would put WNE ahead by double digits again, cashing in his first three-pointer of the game, while Jake Harrison would exit the game with 30 points in the game to lead all scorers, finishing with 30 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists, five blocks, and five steals in the game. Western New England would come on top of UNE, defeating the Nor'easters for the 10^th straight meeting, winning 93-75.

Inside the Lines:

• Jake Harrison dominated on the offensive end for Western New England, scoring 30 points while collecting 13 rebounds and nine assists in the win.
• Gavin Greene (17 points) and Mike Renick (11 points) both collected double figures in points for Western New England.
• Western New England shot 61% from the field (38/62) while knocking down eight threes.
• Adam Lux led UNE with 20 points on 9/14 shooting.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• WNE is back in action on Tuesday, December 5, at 7:30 p.m. in a rematch of last season's CCC Championship match as the Golden Bears meet Nichols College.