BIDDEFORD, Maine – Four Rams produced double digits in scoring paced by a game-high 23-point effort from Aidan Sullivan to power Suffolk men's basketball to a Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) opening 85-74 victory over the University of New England Wednesday night at Harold Alfond Forum.   

THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 85 | University of New England 74
RECORDS: Suffolk (5-1, 1-0 CCC) | University of New England (1-8, 0-2 CCC)  

HOW IT HAPPENED
Suffolk notched the first eight points of the night as Nate Hale and William Rowe connected from downtown and Keenan Robertson converted a fast-break dunk for the early edge. The Nor'Easters responded with five unanswered points of their own to pull within three before a back-and-forth affair ensued.  

The see-saw action carried for most of the first frame until Hale's trip to the charity stripe ignited a Suffolk scoring frenzy that last nearly until the half time buzzer. The Rams went on a 20-7 run over the final 6:46 of the opening stanza to take a lopsided 50-34 lead into the locker room.  

Suffolk used the late rally to hold onto the advantage the rest of the way as ping-pong play started the second half. Thankfully the Rams managed to maintain the margin and stretched it to as many as 24, 74-50, at the 11:28 minute mark.  

It became a game of time management and shot selection from there for the blue-and-gold as it coasted to the victory. 

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• Sullivan's 23-point stat line was on a 7-for-10 showing from the field, which included a 3-for-5 effort from behind-the-arc and 6-for-7 showing at the line. The junior added six assists, five caroms and three steals. 
• Hale had 16 points behind a 6-for-10 effort from the floor. The graduate student added three caroms, three steals, two steals and one swat. 
• Cole LeVangie added 17 points off the bench. The Rams reserve shot 7-for-9 on the night and did not miss any of his three attempts from 3-point land. 
• John Gates completed the foursome in double digits in scoring with 16 points to go along with three rebounds, three steals, two set ups and one block. 
• Rowe registered seven rebounds, six points, four dimes, three takeaways and two blocks. 
• Suffolk shot 50.0 percent (30-60) on the night, 52.2 percent (12-23) from beyond-the-arc and 76.5 percent (13-17) from the foul line. 
• UNE outrebounded the Rams, 36-34. 
• The Nor'Easters capitalized on their second chances, scoring 14 points on put backs. 
• The Rams reserves outplayed UNE's bench, outscoring the Nor'Easters non-starters, 24-13.  

NOTEWORTHY

• Suffolk began its CCC era. 
• The blue-and-gold began its conference campaign in the win column for the fourth straight season a conference schedule was played. 
• Suffolk is now 13-9 on day one of its league schedule, 4-2 under Jeff Juron's guidance. 
• The Rams ran their win streak to four straight, the most victories in a row since stringing seven together Jan. 26-Feb. 14, 2019.
• The Rams met UNE for the first time since Jan. 2, 2009. 
• Suffolk grabbed an 11-10 lead in the series against UNE. 
• The blue-and-gold bested the Nor'Easters Feb. 13, 1999. 
• Suffolk improved to 6-5 when playing UNE in Biddeford, Maine. 
• The Rams are 1-0 against UNE in the Juron era. 
• Sullivan had a personal-best 23 points. 
• LeVangie notched a career-high 17 points.  

POST-GAME PIC
  

WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk brings its win streak back to Boston Saturday, Dec. 4 when it welcomes Western New England to Larry E. and Michael S. Smith Court for a 3 p.m. CCC contest.