Weston, Mass.—Having recently dropped a 66-56 non-conference match to Trinity College (Conn.), Regis College (8-9, 4-1 TCCC) begins preparation for its The Commonwealth Coast Conference opponent the University of New England (7-9, 3-2 TCCC) Thursday, Jan. 28 at 7:30 p.m.

Partly Cloudy with a Chance of Rain…

The Nor’easters have four players tallying double figures in points per game. Victor Oruonyehu leads the team with 13.2 PPG and in free throw percentage (.891).

Anthony Johnson (13.0), Quentin Thompson (11.8), and Anthony Coleman (11.0) round out the top four players averaging more than 10 PPG.

Thompson and Johnson also appear as first and second place in average rebounds per game. Thompson is averaging 6.8 RPG, Johnson 5.2.

Statistically, UNE has not done anything spectacular. Johnson, Thompson, Coleman, and Oruonyehu make up 66 percent of the teams 71.2 average points per game. Regis playing solid defense could stymie a significant amount of UNE’s offense.

Pride Will Bring Clear Skies…

Senior Jesse Vega has led the Pride in points per game, averaging just less than 14 PPG through 17 games. Derrick Neal has been squeaking in just over 10 PPG. Neal put up a season-high 22 points against TCCC foe Salve Regina. Since then he has averaged 15.4 PPG.

The potential for Neal to score big is there, it just hasn’t happened. He is -7.1 PPG below his season average from 2008-09. Only once last season did Neal score less than 10 points, this year he has done so in six games.

Neal should be a factor for Regis to pull out this game with a victory. Vega has continued to play well in all facets of the game, and that expectation will hold true against the Nor’easters. As a post player he must be one of the leaders in the total rebounds column.

Regis must maintain possession of the ball by limiting its turnovers, staying on the boards and creating second-chance opportunities, execution on both the defensive and offensive ends of the court, and its floor leaders leading by example.

James Cooper, Phil Alibrandi, Vega, and Neal are solid players when on the court. Cooper is an experienced guard that can get the job done. Alibrandi scored a season-high 24 points against Eastern Nazarene College, and has the potential to have a good night Thursday.

Regis’ bench is another area of possibility. Although young the Pride have athleticism to its advantage. Combining that gift with a basketball IQ will make a potent, all-around team for Regis.

Thursday’s game will start at 7:30 p.m. in The Den. For further information regarding your favorite Regis team or athlete, visit www.GoRegisPride.com.