Box Score HENNIKER, N.H. The New England College men's basketball team created 21 turnovers, 15 of which were steals on their way to holding off a late surge by Elms College in New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) play, 85-70.

With the win, the Pilgrims will improve to 16-3 on the season with a 9-1 record in the NECC while the Blazers will fall to 3-15 overall with a 2-8 record in the NECC.

NEC LEADERS
Ricky Leonard led all players in scoring with 28. Calvin Cheek added 15 points and nine steals to lead the Pilgrim Press. Cheek and Stephen Fama led the Pilgrims with four assists each. Jason Jones grabbed 11 rebounds for the Pilgrims.

ELMS LEADERS
Justin Feliciano and D.J. Edelen led the Blazer offense with 19 points and 12 points. Edelen also grabbed eight rebounds for the Blazers. David Lopez Jr. led all players with six assists.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Pilgrims earned the first six points of the contest, two from Izaiah Winston-Brooks and four from Ricky Leonard. However, the Blazers responded with an 8-2 run to tie the contest, which was the only tie of the half. The Pilgrims stretched their lead to eight just passed the halfway point of the period but Elms again rallied and cut the lead to as little as one at 20-19. The Pilgrims then used a 17-3 run that spanned over five of the last eight minutes of the half to give themselves a comfortable, 16-point lead.

The Blazers used a quick 11-2 run to start the second half which cut the lead to single digits. However, a three-point play by Stephen Fama, two three-point field goals by Leonard, and a three-point play by Leonard kept the Pilgrims out in front. Those plays however were not enough as the Blazers capitalized on Pilgrim missed shots and turnovers to cut the lead down to four, with just under three and a half minutes remaining. The Pilgrims buckled down defensively and extended their lead to 15 to close out the contest. The halves were opposites of each other as the Pilgrims shot 48.6% to the Blazers 31.3%. The second half saw the Blazers shoot 51.5% to the Pilgrims 36.1%.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
-This is the second meeting all-time between the two schools. The Pilgrims are 2-0-0 in the all-time record.
-This is the 10^th game this season were Calvin Cheek recorded 5+ steals. The Pilgrims are 10-0 in those contests.
-Ricky Leonard has recorded 20+ plus points in five games this season. The Pilgrims are 4-1 in those contests.
-The Pilgrims are now winners of five straight, which is their longest win streak of the season.

WHAT'S NEXT
Saturday, January 26^th, at Newbury College, 3 p.m.