New Hampshire tops Winthrop in NIT Tip-Off campus game

Nov 27, 2016, 04:06 pm

ROCK HILL, S.C. -- Tanner Leissner had 22 points and 14 rebounds, Jaleen Smith added 20 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, and New Hampshire beat Winthrop 65-60 on Sunday in a NIT Season Tip-Off campus game.

Xavier Cooks made two free throws with three minutes left to give Winthrop a 60-58 lead, but the Eagles were held scoreless from there.

New Hampshire nearly turned it over but a hustle play led to Daniel Dion's 3-pointer for a 61-60 lead and Leissner finished a lob for a three-point lead. Smith sealed it with a floater in the lane.

Dion made four 3-pointers for 12 points and David Watkins hit three 3s and scored 11 points for New Hampshire (4-2). The Wildcats hit 12 of 38 3-point attempts and outrebounded Winthrop 51-35.

Cooks finished with a career-high 30 points and grabbed eight rebounds for Winthrop (3-2). He hit 12 of 17 field goals, including 4 of 5 from distance. No other Eagle scored in double figures.