Jan. 16, 2007
BIDDEFORD, ME - Despite shooting just 29.6% (8-for-27) from the floor in the opening 20 minutes, the Endicott College men's basketball team was able to grab a tough road conference win over the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine on Tuesday night, 58-51.
The Gulls got off to a slow start, failing to convert on several lay-up opportunities in the opening frame. The visitor's poor shooting was evident in the half time score, as the Gulls entered the dressing room trailing 25-21.
Endicott returned to the Campus Center court with an adjusted game plan, and quickly shot their way back into the contest. Just 2:38 into the second half, the Gulls were able to even the score at 29-all. Three minutes later, Todd Burton (Lynn, MA/St. Mary's/Canterbury School) converted on a lay-up to put the visitors up for good at 33-32. Burton would score eight key points over the opening 5:28 of the second half as Endicott was able to gain control on the game.
The Gulls were led by the strong play of Nemanja Marinkovic (Belgrade, Serbia/Second Baptist, Houston, TX), who chipped in a game-high 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for his second consecutive double-double (14 points and 10 rebounds in Endicott's 74-72 victory over Bridgewater State on January 11, 2007). Marinkovic has enjoyed success against the Nor'easters, as the senior forward put up 17 points and pulled in 13 rebounds in the two teams meeting back on December 5th in Beverly, MA. Nemanja led the charge for Coach Millette's Gulls on Tuesday, as he played the entire second half for the visitors.
Todd Burton and Joey Burgos (Lawrence, MA/Lawrence) both turned in strong efforts for Endicott, as both players found their way into double-figures, each scoring 12 points on the evening.
With the win, Endicott improves to 5-6 on the season and remains unbeaten in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (3-0). Next up for the Gulls is a CCC battle with Colby Sawyer; tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 PM in New London, NH on Saturday.