Hot Shooting Second Half Lifts Men's Basketball Past UNE

BOSTON, Mass. – Five different student-athletes scored in double figures, including senior Conor Rubenskas (Bridgewater, Mass.) who scored all 12 of his points in the second half as the Wentworth Institute of Technology men's basketball team used a hot shooting second half to defeat the University of New England, 87-66, in Commonwealth Coast Conference play Tuesday night.

Senior Jack Schaake (Hampton, N.H.) had a team-high 13 points for the Black & Gold, coming on 6-of-8 shooting from the floor.

RECORDS:
University of New England (2-12, 0-7 CCC)
Wentworth (7-6, 3-4 CCC)

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

WENTWORTH LEADING SCORERS:  Jack Schaake, 13; Conor Rubenskas, 12; Sam Swift, 12; Thomas Hacker, 11; Jack Connell, 10
WENTWORTH LEADING REBOUNDERS:  Schaake, 8; Rubenskas, 7; Tyler Stewart, 6; Connell, 6
WENTWORTH ASSIST LEADERS:  Connell, 5; Stewart, 3; Swift, 3

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Leading 3-2 just over three minutes into the game, Wentworth used a 14-4 run to take an 11-point lead after a three-point play from Schaake. The University of New England scored the next four and pulled back within seven (17-10) after a layup from sophomore Sam McElliott (Nashua, N.H.) with 8:25 left in the half.
• Two free throws from sophomore Tyler Stewart (East Taunton, Mass.) and a three from sophomore Jack Connell (Walpole, Mass.) pushed the Leopards' lead to 12, however, the Nor'Easters cut the lead down to seven on three occasions, including on a layup from McElliott with 2:32 remaining.
• Freshman Nathan Brinkman Trumbull, Conn.) began a 6-0 spurt with a jumper that put Wentworth ahead by nine and four straight points from senior Thomas Hacker (Averill Park, N.Y.) gave the Black & Gold their largest lead of the half, 36-23. UNE scored the next three points to make it a 10-point game, however, freshman Russell Dolabany (Westwood, Mass.) drained a three as time expired to give the hosts a 39-26 cushion at the break.
• Wentworth opened the second half on a 14-6 run and took a 53-32 lead with 14:24 left after Stewart hit one of two free throws. During the run, senior Sam Swift knocked down three three pointers. Scoring the next five points, the Nor'Easters came within 16 but a three from Rubenskas and a layup from Hacker pushed the lead back to 21. UNE pulled to within 16 on three other occasions but would get no closer.
• Rubenskas connected on 5-of-8 shots, including going 5-for-7 in the second half as the Leopards shot 62.1 percent from the floor over the final 20 minutes, including going 8-for-15 from behind the arc.
• In addition to Schaake and Rubenskas, Swift (12), Hacker (11), and Connell (10) all scored in double figures. Schaake had a game-high eight rebounds, while Connell had five assists. Wentworth had a dominant, 49-22 advantage on the glass, scoring 18 points on 18 offensive rebounds.

SERIES NOTES:

• Tonight was the 46th all-time meeting between the two teams. Winners of two in row, Wentworth leads, 30-16.

NEXT UP:

• Wentworth hosts Nichols Saturday afternoon.

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