NEWPORT, R.I. - Salve Regina University used a 20-2 run over eight minutes early in the second period to wipe away a seven-point deficit on its way to a 61-51 victory over the University of New England in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) men's basketball action Saturday afternoon at the Rodgers Recreation Center.

Isiah Pringle (Queens, N.Y.) and Ryan Birrell (Scituate, R.I.) scored 22 of their combined 28 points after halftime to help the Seahawks (11-7) rally and get to 9-2 in league play - maintaining a two-game lead in conference standings.

UNE (3-15, 3-8 CCC) led 28-26 coming out of the break, and five points by senior J.D. Winn (Austin, Texas) bumped the gap up to seven (33-26).

From there, Salve Regina seized control and built an 11-point cushion (46-35) with just under 10 minutes left. Pringle had seven of Salve Regina's 20 points in the stretch. The margin was still 11 (57-46) after a Birrell lay-up with 4:02 on the clock, before Big Blue senior Jarryd Rossignol (Caribou, Maine) tossed in the next five points to trim the difference to six (57-51).

Pringle, who finished with a game-high 16 points, canned a trey on the ensuing possession and all but sealed the win for the Seahawks.

Birrell put together 12 points, eight rebounds, and six assists - almost all in the second half - in support, while Jeff Bielefeld (Littleton, Mass.) posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 boards. William Smiley (Saunderstown, R.I.) also ended the contest in double figures with 11 points.

UNE received 13 points from senior Marcus Winn (Austin, Texas) - eight of which came in the opening 20 minutes. First-year guard Jordan Ferreira (Nantucket, Mass.) added 12. The two combined for six 3-pointers.

The Nor'easters, who came into the game with 64 more 3-pointers than their opponents, maintained the dominance behind the arc (nine to three), but struggled off the boards. Salve Regina had a 40-33 edge on the glass while outscoring the visitors, 28-14, in the paint. The Seahawks also had a 14-2 advantage in second-chance points.

The Seahawks sweep the season-series with the Nor'easters who travel to Curry College on Tuesday for a return meeting with the Colonels. Salve Regina hosts Western New England before embarking on a three-game road trip.