HENNIKER, N.H. - Junior Mike Strazzeri (Chichester, N.H.) and sophomore Josh Robie (Bethlehem, N.H.) combined for 47 points as the New England College men's basketball team earned their first conference victory of the season on Tuesday evening over intrastate rival, Colby-Sawyer. 

In a game that saw 13 lead changes, the Pilgrims managed to pull away late in the second half, ending the game on a 12-6 run over the final five minutes after the Chargers tied the game at 66-all. Robie had five of those final 12 points for the 'Grims, including a huge three-pointer to put them up by five with two-and-a-half minutes to play. 

Strazzeri hit two big free throws with 27 seconds on the clock to put NEC up by three, and senior Kenray Emadamerho (Manchester, N.H.) iced the game away with a shot at the charity stripe to make it a two-possession game with under eight ticks remaining. 

The Pilgrims played well down the stretch, shooting 56.5 percent from the field in the second half. Strazzeri and Robie provided steady scoring throughout the game, scoring double figures in both halves while going a combined 10-of-12 from the free throw line. Strazzeri ended with five rebounds and four assists on top of his career-high 24 points, while Robie matched his four triples with four boards. 

NEC led by as many as 12 points midway through the first half, but the Chargers closed out the half on a 24-11 run to take a one-point lead into the break. Colby-Sawyer had a couple of key runs throughout the game, including a 7-0 run midway through the second half to seize the lead. 

That Charger run ended on a three-pointer by sophomore Luke Montejo (Tewksbury, Mass.) who put the 'Grims back on top with under ten minutes left to play. Montejo had eight of his ten points in the second half, providing a big push to the Pilgrims' winning efforts. He grabbed eight rebounds, as he neared the first double-double of his career, and added two impressive blocks on the defensive end. 

With the six-point victory, NEC earned their first win in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action this season. They will continue conference play on Saturday for a 3:00 PM home matchup against Mitchell College back on the hardwood of Bridges Gym. 

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