BIDDEFORD, Maine – Freshman Tyler Dion (Barre, Mass.) dropped in a career-high 23 points as the Nichols College men's basketball team defeated UNE 87-68 Saturday afternoon in Commonwealth Coast Conference action at Harold Alford Forum.
 
Dion knocked down 7-of-13 from behind the arc and also handed out four helpers as the Bison collected assists on 23 of their 32 baskets and shot 42 percent from the field – including 18-of-45 from downtown (40 percent). The win extends the Bison's win streak to nine.
 
Freshman DeAnte Bruton (New London, Conn.) racked up 18 points, six assists, five steals, and four rebounds in 35 minutes for NC while freshman Jerome Cunningham (Westbury, N.Y.) notched a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds, and also blocked three shots.
 
Senior CJ Autry (Standish, Maine) posted a double-double for UNE with 13 points and 10 boards while senior Jean-Luc Parker (Georgetown, Texas) led the Nor'easters with 21 points (6-of-6 FT). UNE shot 39 percent from the floor and drilled seven of their 14 three-pointers.
 
Nichols led by 17 at the break (48-31) behind 11 from Bruton and nine from Dion. Parker led all student-athletes with 13 points. The Bison converted 12 UNE turnovers into 13 first-half points.
 
All-Time Series
This afternoon's contest marked the 25th all-time meeting between Nichols College and the University of New England. The Bison have won three-straight and 13 of the last 14 against the Nor'easters.
 
Next Games
Nichols (11-2, 6-0 CCC) – Wednesday, January 11 vs Eastern Nazarene, 5:30 p.m.
UNE (4-9, 2-4 CCC) – Wednesday, January 11 vs Gordon, 7:30 p.m.