Fast start propels Merrimack by UNH

Merrimack scored three first-period goals and held on to defeat No. 13 New Hampshire, 4-3, yesterday in Hockey East action in Durham, N.H.

After UNH’s Michael McNichols tallied 34 seconds in, Derek Petti, Sami Tavernier and Alfred Larsson all lit the lamp to give the Warriors (4-9-3, 2-6-1) a 3-1 lead. Merrimack’s Tyler Irvine added the lone second-period goal and the Wildcats (9-7-1, 4-5-1) could only get within one.

Craig Pantano recorded 25 saves in the win.

UMass 2, Union 1 — Ryan Wischow recorded 31 saves as the Minutemen (9-7-0) edged the Dutchmen (10-81) in Schenectady, N.Y.

Oliver Chau and Jake Gaudet scored for UMass.

Salve Regina 7, Becker 2 — Danny Eruzione collected three assists and the Seahawks (8-3-2, 7-1-2 CCC) clipped the Hawks (4-10-1, 2-8-0) in Portsmouth, R.I.

Men’s basketball

Pine Manor 79, Westfield St. 72 — Steven Collins’ 18 points helped the Gators (55) bite the host Owls (5-6).

Franklin Pierce 76, Assumption 65 — Mike McDevitt netted 18 points as the Ravens (4-5, 2-5 NE-10) topped the Greyhounds (19, 0-7) in Worcester.

In AP Top 25 action: Arizona St. 95, Kansas 85 — Tra Holder scored 29 points and the No. 16 Sun Devils (9-0) upset the No. 2 Jayhawks (7-2) in Lawrence, Kan.

Villanova 77, La Salle 68 — Phil Booth and Donte DiVincenzo each scored 18 points to help the No. 4 Wildcats (10-0) avoid an upset and maroon the Explorers (5-6) in Philadelphia.

Gonzaga 97, Washington 70 — Johnathan Williams had 23 points and 12 rebounds, Zach Norvell Jr. added 21 points and the No. 12 Bulldogs (8-2) blitzed the Huskies (7-3) in Seattle.

Purdue 86, IUPUI 61 — In West Lafayette, Ind., Carsen Edwards scored a career-high 27 points and the No. 21 Boilermakers (10-2) caged the Jaguars (2-6) for coach Matt Painter’s 300th victory.

Women’s basketball

Seton Hall 73, Boston College 53 — Georgia Pineau scored 18 points but the Eagles (4-6) were sunk by the Pirates (7-2) at Conte Forum.