Box Score NEW LONDON, N.H. - The New England College men's basketball team earned a 95-66 victory over Colby-Sawyer College in non-conference action.

The Pilgrims will improve to 7-1 on the season, while the Chargers drop to 6-3 on the year.

NEC LEADERS
Ricky Leonard powered the NEC offense, pouring in a season-high 30 points. Izaiah Winston-Brooks chipped in with 14 points, but with a three-pointer late in the first half, Winston Brooks became the 18^th men's basketball player to surpass 1,000 career points. Jason Jones snatched seven rebounds, while Calvin Cheeks had a well-rounded day with 10 points, seven assists, and seven steals.

COLBY-SAWYER LEADERS
Patrick Coffey paced Colby-Sawyer with 15 points, while Nate Trevino pulled down 12 boards.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Chargers jumped out to an early lead, but the Pilgrims were able to match Colby-Sawyer shot for shot. Five minutes in, Cheeks swiped the ball which lead to a Jones fast-break layup gave New England College the 14-13 lead. The NEC advantage would quickly expand as a jumper by Stephen Fama and a layup by Leonard pushed the margin to five points. The Chargers would eventually tie the game up at 25-25, but a three and a quick layup pushed the lead back to five. CSC tied the game one more time at 34 with a layup from Jourdain Bell with four minutes remaining in the first half, but the Pilgrims outscored their opposition 13-3 to close out the first 20 minutes.

Coming out of the break, the New England College lead would balloon to 13 and it would keep expanding as the visitor's defense stifled the Colby-Sawyer offense all night. Between 18 steals and eight blocks, NEC held the Chargers to 27.5 (11-40) shooting in the second half.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
-This was the 53^rdmeeting all-time. The Pilgrims are now 13-40 against the Chargers, winning the last five meetings.
-These two teams meet up last year in the North Atlantic Conference championship game, the Pilgrims won 72-56.
-New England College forced 25 Colby-Sawyer turnovers and capitalized with 28 points off those turnovers.

WHAT'S NEXT
Thursday, December 20^thvs Wartburg College in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.