University of New Hampshire Athletics
University of New Hampshire
7-8, 0-2AE
Brown University
8-8, 0-0Ivy
Men's Hoops Prevails in a 68-61 Win Over Brown University
1/8/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
DURHAM, N.H. - The University of New Hampshire men's basketball team scored the final eight points to rally over Brown University, 68-61, on Thursday night at Lundholm Gymnasium.
UNH improves to 7-8 while the Bears drop to 8-8.
In the final 1:37, down 61-60, the Wildcats buried two straight 3-pointers by Joe Bramanti (Andover, Mass.) and Tanner Leissner (Converse, Texas) to pull ahead 66-61 over the Bears and close out non-conference play.
The Bears were held to 0-for-10 shooting on threes in the second half and 2 of 18 on the night. 11.1 percent from beyond the arc is the second lowest allowed this season for UNH, behind the 58-50 loss to Boston College where the Eagles shot just five percent on 3-pointers.
Jacoby Armstrong (Sachse, Texas) led all scorers with 17 points and eight rebounds and two blocks. Leissner finished with 12 points and seven rebounds. Jaleen Smith (Freeport, Texas) scored 11 and corralled seven rebounds while adding four assists. Bramanti grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds on the night.
Rafael Maia led the Bears in scoring (15 points) and free throws made (7). Cedric Kuakumensah notched 13 points and 10 rebounds en route to a double-double. Tavon Blackmon finished with 10 points.
UNH totaled 43 percent on field goals and 40 percent on 3-pointers. The UNH bench has outscored opponents in 10 straight contests with a 20-15 difference tonight. Second chance points were won by the 'Cats as well, outscoring the Bears 10-2.
Armstrong and Leissner each scored five of the first 15 points to open the contest for the 'Cats, trailing the Bears 17-15 with 9:15 remaining in the first frame.
The Bears' Cedric Kuakumensah scored two layups, as Leissner split the buckets with two free throws, to gain a 21-19 lead, 7:07 left in the half.
UNH regained a 28-21 lead on threes by Jaleen Smith, Daniel Dion (Cedar Park, Texas) and Matt Miller (Arnold, Md.) to go up seven with 5:41 remaining.
3-pointers propelled the Wildcat scoring in the first half, shooting 46 percent (5 of 11) from beyond the arc.
Armstrong led all scorers with nine points, five rebounds and two blocks heading into the locker room up 34-27 at the break.
Brown narrowed the Wildcats first half lead to 39-37 with 16:17 left, on a 10-5 run spearheaded by Steven Spieth and his two buckets.
With 12:36 to go, the Bears tied it up at 42-42 on a Kuakumensah jumper. Following a Blackmon free throw, the two sides went back and forth until UNH held a 50-48 lead with nine minutes to go on a Armstrong bucket. On the next possession, Dion spun his defender around on a fake overhead pass and blew by for a driving layup to inch ahead by two, 52-48.
With 2:40 remaining, Kuakumensah tied it up 59-59 on two free throws, to cap off a 11-7 run.
The 'Cats earned their seventh win of the season and surpassed last years win total.
Up next, UNH travels to Baltimore to take on the University Maryland, Baltimore County (Jan. 11) at the RAC Arena (1 p.m.). The Wildcats return home Jan. 14 to host America East foe University of Hartford at 7 p.m. To purchase tickets for this game, as well as upcoming contests, visit UNHWildcats.com/tickets or call (603) 862-4000. For the most up-to-date information on the UNH men's basketball program, check out UNHWildcats.com.
