Posted: Nov 11, 2011
DURHAM, N.H. – Seniors Alvin Abreu (Lynn, Mass.) and Brian Benson (Rochester, N.Y.) notched 19 and 17 points, respectively, propelling the University of New Hampshire men's basketball team to 85-64 victory over Suffolk University on Friday evening at Lundholm Gymnasium.
The Wildcats improve to 1-0 on the season, earning their sixth straight home-opening victory. New Hampshire is now 5-0 all-time against Suffolk, with all five decisions coming at Lundholm Gymnasium.
Benson was named the America East Player of the Game, pulling down 16 boards, as he earned his third career double-double. He finished the evening shooting an impressive 7-for-13 from the floor.
Chandler Rhoads (Berryville, Pa.) and Jordon Bronner (Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.) also notched double-digits for the 'Cats, tallying 18 and 15 points, respectively. Patrick Konan (Gainesville, Fla.) chipped in with seven points, eight boards and four assists.
The Wildcats outshot Suffolk 53.2 percent (33-62) to 46.3 percent (25-54) from the field and 50.0 percent (9-18) to 46.2 percent (6-13) from beyond the arc. New Hampshire also held the edge on the glass, outrebounding the Rams by a margin of 39-31 in the contest.
UNH kicked off a 9-0 run, its longest run of the first frame, as Abreu sparked the stretch with a midrange jumper at 14:16. New Hampshire scored on three straight possessions to cap off the stretch, as Bronner finished off the run, notching a layup to put the home team up 25-10 at 12:50.
UNH posted a 23-point edge, its greatest of the game, with just over a minute remaining when Abreu pushed the ball up the floor and set up Benson with a layup to push the score to 51-28 in favor of the home team. The Wildcats held a 51-30 edge at the break, shooting an impressive 64.7 percent (22-34) from the floor and 66.7 percent (6-9) from long range.
The Rams made it game with just over six minutes remaining in regulation, stringing off an 8-0 run, sparked by a Jevic Muteba layup, cutting the score to 70-61 at 4:35.
However, the Widcats were able to find their offensive rhythm shortly thereafter, piecing together a 9-3 run that pushed their advantage to 15 with just under two minutes to play. Four points by Bronner, including three the old-fashioned-way, helped provide the spark the 'Cats needed as they owned a 79-64 edge at the end of the stretch.