Gulls Fly through Nor'Easters, 68-55
Dec. 5, 2006
BEVERLY, MA - Nemanja Marinkovic (Belgrade, Serbia/Second Baptist, Houston, TX) chipped in for a double-double (17 points and 13 rebounds), as the Endicott College Gulls were able to fly by an early season Nor'Easter, 68-55 on Tuesday.
Endicott opened the game strong as the slick shooting of Gary Corbett (Danbury, CT/Danbury) paced the Gulls out of the blocks. The junior marksman connected on three consecutive three-pointers, helping Endicott build an early 13-4 advantage.
After a University of New England timeout, the Gulls returned to the court with a hot hand. Freshman Graham Whitelaw (Kennebunk, ME/Cheverus) knocked down another Endicott three-ball, extending the home team's lead to 16-4 with 13:43 remaining in the opening half. However, the Nor'Easters of UNE would not go away quietly. Point guard Steve Belmont (Seaford, NY/McAurthur) started the visitor's comeback campaign as he made a pretty no look pass to Mike Floyd (Windham, ME/Windham) who converted for an uncontested lay-up, cutting the Endicott lead to 24-16.
The Gulls shifted their focus and began working in the low post, as sophomore Joey Burgos (Lawrence, MA/Lawrence) worked his way inside and scored three straight buckets for the Gulls. UNE was again able to survive the Endicott attack, as they found their legs late in the opening 20 minutes, escaping into the dressing room only trailing by five, 31-26.
The University of New England opened the second half and quickly cut the lead down to two. The Nor'Easters Mike Floyd began finding openings in the Endicott defense, as he led the UNE charge on the night with 19 points. The Gulls responded strong with center Mike Sullivan (Marshfield, MA/Marshfield). The senior captain made his presence known in the paint, as he scored 14 points, grabbed eight rebounds and shot a perfect six for six from the free-throw line. Endicott sealed the victory as Marinkovic converted on a nifty drop step lay-up, downing the Nor'Easters, 68-55.
UNE falls to 1-5 (1-1 in the CCC); they take on the University of Maine at Farmington on Saturday. With the win, Endicott improves to 2-4 on the season and 1-0 in the Commonwealth Coast Conference. The Gulls return to action on Thursday as they travel to WPI. Tip-off is scheduled 6:00 pm in Worcester.