Courtesy of UNE Sports Information Office

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Guard Chad Pulkkinen (Windham, Maine) buried four second-half three-pointers as the Saint Joseph's College Monks outscored the University of New England Nor'easters 47-30 to pull away for a 81-64 non-conference men's basketball victory Thursday evening at the Campus Center.

After the two teams played to a 34-all tie in the first half, the Monks started the second half on a 18-8 run to assume a 52-42 advantage. Pulkkinen drilled a trio of three-pointers during the surge, which was capped by a pair of free throws by Marcus Alexander '07 (Niceville, Fla.) at the 14:11 mark.

Consecutive layups by Steve Belmonte '09 (Seaford, N.Y.) and Tom Button '07 (Lyndeborough, N.H.) brought UNE within six (52-46). The Monks responded with a 11-3 run to take control. Alexander capped the run with consecutive drives to give St. Joe's a 63-49 advantage with 8:24 remaining.

Pulkinnen netted 18 of his game-high 26 points in the second half. Alexander ended the evening with 20 points and six rebounds for St. Joe's, while Elbie Murphy '09 (Loudonville, N.Y.) contributed 15 points, nine steals and eight boards.

Belmonte led the way for the Nor'easters (4-19), scoring 12 points and handing out three assists. Guards Nick Farynaz '07 (Gray, Maine) and John Marriott '08 (Fairfax, Vt.) added 11 points apiece. Button tallied nine points and hauled in a game-high 11 caroms.

The Monks (15-5) utilized a swarming defense to pick up 19 steals on 23 UNE turnovers. Winners of six straight, they host Newbury College Saturday at 3:00 p.m.