![[USM Men's Basketball]](images/pagehead2.gif)
Season Homepage
Roster
Latest News
Staff
|
|
MBB Archives Season Homepage |
Schedule Roster Latest News |
Photo Gallery Staff |
 |
|
Latest News |
For Individual Game Box Scores and Statistics, Go to the Statistics Page.
********************************************************************************
END OF THE REGULAR SEASON
********************************************************************************
Saturday, February 17, 2001
Rinas, Colonials End Huskies' Season, 98-82
DANBURY, Conn. -- Junior Lenny Rinas (Bristol, Conn.) scored a game-high
25 points and dished out nine assists to lead the Western Connecticut State
Colonials to a 98-82 victory over the University of Southern Maine Huskies in a
Little East Conference men's basketball regular season finale Saturday afternoon
at the O'Neil Center.
Southern Maine, which had won its last three games, finished its season at
8-16 overall and 3-11 in conference play. The Huskies failed to qualify for the
six-team Little East Conference postseason tournament. Western Connecticut
improved to 15-9 for the season and 9-5 in the LEC. The third-seeded Colonials
will host the sixth-seeded University of Massachusetts Boston Beacons (9-15,
4-10 LEC) on Tuesday (February 20) in a first round tournament game.
Rinas scored seven points as Western Connecticut jumped out quickly on the
Huskies, building a 12-4 lead after just three minutes. Sophomore Mark Carter
(Peekskill, N.Y.) tallied eight straight points in a two-minute stretch as the
Colonials increased their margin to 30-18 at the 9:06 mark. WCSU shot a
sizzling 59 percent (19-of-32), including five baskets from beyond the arc, to
take a 52-39 lead at the break. Rinas finished the half with 16 points.
USM opened the second half with an 11-4 run to cut the margin to 56-50 on
a pair of free throws by junior Jason St. Pierre (Bangor, Maine) four minutes
into the half. WCSU responded with a 24-11 burst over the next eight minutes to
push its lead to 19, 80-61, with 7:48 remaining. Junior Kevin Matthews
(Ossining, N.Y.) keyed the run with 11 points. USM as unable to cut the deficit
below 15 points as the Colonials sailed home to the victory.
Carter and Matthews joined Rinas in double digits with 19 points each.
Senior Everton Stewart (Bloomfield, Conn.) hauled down a game-high seven boards
for the Colonials, who outrebounded Southern Maine, 40-28.
All five Huskies' starters scored in double figures. Seniors Corey
Zimmerman (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) and Wade Millett (East Waterboro, Maine),
playing in their last game for USM, led the Huskies with 18 and 16 points,
respectively. Zimmerman, who made all ten of his free throw attempts, also
dished out seven assists while Millett grabbed seven rebounds to tie for game-
high honors. St. Pierre finished with 12 points. Sophomore Ryan Thomas
(Hampden, Maine) and freshman Jeff White (Etna, Maine) each added ten points.
Thomas also recorded three blocked shots.
********************************************************************************
Tuesday, February 13, 2001
Millett Posts "Double-Double" as Huskies Upset Panthers, 85-78
GORHAM, Maine -- Senior Wade Millett (East Waterboro, Maine) scored a
career-high 25 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to spark the University of
Southern Maine Huskies to an 85-78 upset victory over the Plymouth State College
Panthers in a Little East Conference men's basketball game Tuesday evening at
the Foley Gymnasium.
Southern Maine has won its last three games to improve to 8-15 overall,
and remains alive in the race for a Little East Conference tournament berth with
a 3-10 conference mark. Plymouth State, which had won its last three games,
dipped to 12-10 for the season and 7-5 in the LEC.
Southern Maine trailed only once during the entire game at 3-2. The
Huskies raced to a 26-12 lead midway through the first half as freshman Jeff
White (Etna, Maine) scored 11 points and sophomore Ryan Thomas (Hampden, Maine)
added eight during the early surge. USM limited the Panthers to 32 percent
shooting (10-of-31) while making 44 percent from the floor to take a 42-31 lead
at the break.
The Huskies built their lead to 15 points (50-35) just three minutes into
the second half, and still held a double-digit lead, 74-63, on a lay-up by
Millett with 6:18 to play. Junior Jason Blackburn (Hudson, Mass.) and senior
Tony Martinez (Barnstead, N.H.) combined for the Panthers' next 11 points during
an 11-2 run to narrow the margin to 76-74 with 2:46 to go.
USM responded with a 9-4 run to preserve the victory as senior Corey
Zimmerman (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) scored five points, junior Jason St. Pierre
(Bangor, Maine) hit a jumper and Millett and sophomore Matt Tarbox (Standish,
Maine) each added a free throw.
Millett made 5 of 6 free throws and four shots from beyond the three-point
line among his game-high 25 points. It was his second "double-double" of the
season. White added 17 points and five boards while Thomas finished with a
season-high 16 points. Zimmerman contributed 11 points and a team-high six
assists.
Martinez led the Panthers with 20 points while Blackburn, who torched the
Huskies for 30 points and 21 rebounds in a 57-53 PSC triumph three weeks ago at
Gorham, added 16 points. Sophomore Kenny Stewart (Londonderry, N.H.) and
freshman Frankie Finklea (Dorchester, Mass) joined the double figure parade with
12 points each.
Southern Maine concludes the regular season on Saturday (February 17) with
a 3:00 p.m. Little East Conference game at Western Connecticut State University.
Plymouth State hosts conference rival Rhode Island College on Thursday at 7:00
p.m. in its next action.
********************************************************************************
Saturday, February 10, 2001
St. Pierre Leads Huskies Past Anchormen, 80-61
GORHAM, Maine -- Junior Jason St. Pierre (Bangor, Maine) triggered a
15-0 run with a pair of three-point shots early in the second half as the
University of Southern Maine overcame a six-point deficit to defeat the Rhode
Island College Anchormen, 80-61, in a Little East Conference game Saturday
afternoon at the Warren G. Hill Gymnasium.
The win was the second straight, and third in the last four games, for the
Huskies who improved to 7-15 overall and 2-10 in the conference. Rhode Island
College dropped its seventh straight game to fall to 6-15 overall and 2-9 in
Little East play. Both teams still have a slim shot at making the LEC
postseason tournament that begins February 20.
The Anchormen opened the second half with a 7-0 run on baskets by freshman
Kurt Gorter (North Kingstown, R.I.) and junior Matt Barrette (North Providence,
R.I.), and an old-fashioned, three-point play by senior Ken Payette
(Woonsocket, R.I.), to overcome a one-point deficit and take a six-point lead
(39-33).
St. Pierre hit consecutive three-points shots for USM to erase the
deficit, and junior Geoff Grigsby (Bridgton, Maine) added a pair of long-range
shots to give USM a six-point lead. Freshman Steve Stults (Portland, Maine)
capped off the run with the Huskies fifth straight three-point shot to make it
48-39 with 12:37 to play. USM finished the game making 10 of 23 shots from long
range.
Leading 51-45 with 10:37 to play, the Huskies went on an 11-0 run to push
their lead to 62-45 with seven minutes to play. St. Pierre finished off the run
by hitting a jumper from the left side.
The first half was a series of runs by both teams. The Anchormen grabbed
an early 14-7 lead behind the long-range shooting of Payette. St. Pierre scored
seven straight for the Huskies to tie the game at 14-14.
There were three lead changes and two ties before the Huskies went ahead,
29-27, on freshman Jeff White's (Etna, Maine) three-point shot. The Anchormen
tallied the final three points of the half to go to the locker room trailing by
one (33-32) at the break.
St. Pierre connected on 9 of 12 shots from the field, including 4 of 6
from beyond the arc, and added a free throw for his game-high 23 points.
Grigsby made 3 of 4 shots, including all three shots he took from behind the
three stripe, and all three free throws to finish with 12 points. USM had a
balanced attack as six other players contributed between five and nine points.
Barrette and Payette led the Anchormen with 14 points apiece. Sophomore
Mike Costigan (Pawtucket, R.I.) added 10 points. RIC played the game without
three players, including high-scoring sophomore guard Ken Jernigan (Hartford,
Conn.).
Southern Maine travels to Plymouth State College on Tuesday (Feb. 13) for
a 7:30 game. Rhode Island College will host Western Connecticut State
University, also on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
********************************************************************************
Tuesday, February 6, 2001
Huskies Get First LEC Win in Overtime, 89-79
GORHAM, Maine -- Senior Corey Zimmerman (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) scored a
game high 24 points, including eight points in overtime, as the University of
Southern Maine Huskies came from behind to defeat the University of
Massachusetts Boston Beacons, 89-79, in a Little East Conference men's game
Tuesday night at the Warren G. Hill Gymnasium.
The win was the Huskies first in conference play this season and kept
their slim chances of making the Little East postseason tournament alive. USM
is now 6-15 overall and 1-10 in the LEC. UMass Boston, the team occupying the
sixth and final playoff slot, dropped its fourth straight to slip to 9-12
overall and 4-7 in the conference.
The Huskies never led in the game until junior Jason St. Pierre (Bangor,
Maine) hit a driving layup to open the overtime session. St. Pierre had a
chance to win the game in regulation, but hit only one-of-two free throws with
two seconds remaining, leaving the score tied at 72-72.
Senior Wade Millett (East Waterboro, Maine) followed with a pair of three-
point shots on the Huskies next two possessions to give the Huskies an eight-
point lead (80-72) before the Beacons got on the board on a basket by sophomore
Paul Kemp (Cambridge, Mass.).
Zimmerman kept the Beacons at bay the rest of the way, scoring the Huskies
next eight points, including converting 6-of-6 free throws.
UMB took a five-point lead (29-24) to the locker room at halftime as both
teams played very deliberately on offense. Kemp pace the Beacons with 12 points
in the half.
The pace quicken in the second half as the Beacons maintained the lead
throughout. A pair of free throw by junior Earl West (South Boston, Mass.) gave
the Beacons their biggest lead of the second half (55-45) with 10 minutes to
play.
St. Pierre, Zimmerman and Millett scored the Huskies last 15 points in the
final 2:30 of regulation to overcome a 65-57 deficit. Millett's three-pointer
got the Huskies within one with 24 seconds to play, and St. Pierre stole the
ball at the opposite end to give USM an opportunity to win the game in
regulation.
Zimmerman finished the game making 6-of-9 shots from the floor and 12 of
16 from the foul line. Millett, who hit 4 of 8 from three-point territory, and
St. Pierre each had 16. Sophomore Ryan Thomas (Hampden, Maine) came off the
bench to contribute 15 points and grab a team-high eight rebounds.
Senior Mitchell Hercule (Mattapan, Mass.) led the Beacons with 23 points,
and grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds. Kept in check most of the first half, the
6-foot-4 Hercule scored the Beacons' first 15 points in the second half. Kemp
and West each had 16.
Southern Maine will host Rhode Island College in another LEC game on
Saturday (3:00 p.m.). UMass Boston will host Plymouth State College, also on
Saturday (3:00 p.m.)
********************************************************************************
Saturday, February 3, 2001
Vega Paces Warriors Over Cold-Shooting Huskies, 64-46
GORHAM, Maine -- Junior guard Rich Vega (Hartford, Conn.) posted game-
highs of 19 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Eastern Connecticut State
University Warriors to an easy 64-46 victory over the University of Southern
Maine Huskies in Little East Conference men's college basketball action Saturday
afternoon at the Warren G. Hill Gymnasium.
Eastern Connecticut improved to 11-9 overall and leveled its conference
record at 5-5. Southern Maine dropped to 5-15 for the season and remains
winless in Little East play at 0-10.
The teams played evenly for the first 13 minutes as Huskies rallied from a
seven-point deficit to tie the game at 16-16 on a three-pointer by senior Wade
Millett (East Waterboro, Maine) with 7:16 remaining. Eastern Connecticut then
went on a 17-4 run to close out the half with a 33-20 advantage. Sophomore
Christopher Morgan (Higganum, Conn.) came of the Warrior bench to hit his only
two baskets of the game, both threes, during the run. Southern Maine was ice-
cold from the field, making only 26 percent (9-for-34) while the Warriors
drained 13-of-33 for 39 percent.
Eastern Connecticut maintained a double figure margin for the first ten
minutes of the second half.. Senior Corey Zimmerman (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) hit
a baseline jumper to bring the Huskies within nine, 46-37, with 10:10 remaining.
The Huskies scored only one more bucket, also by Zimmerman, over the next six
minutes, as the Warriors built the lead back up to 17 points, 56-39, on a pair
of free throws by Vega at the 4:15 mark. USM's shooting woes continued in the
second half as the Huskies hit only 32 percent (11-for-34) in the period.
Vega made 5-of-10 field goal attempts and 7-of-8 free throws for his 19
points. Seniors La'Var Parker (Hackensack, N.J.) and Ashon Avent (Hartford,
Conn.) joined Vega in double figures with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Each
also grabbed seven rebounds. Junior center Billy Rea (Winsted, Conn.) brought
down 10 caroms for the Warriors.
Junior Jason St. Pierre (Bangor, Maine) was the lone Husky to reach double
digits, scoring 11 points. He also snared a team-high seven rebounds as did
sophomore Matt Tarbox (Standish, Maine). USM made only 6-of-35 attempts from
behind the arc (17 percent), finishing at 29 percent (20-for-68) overall. The
Warriors ended the day shooting 38 percent (22-for-58).
Eastern Connecticut made 16-of-25 free throw attempts (64 percent).
Southern Maine did not reach the free throw line once during the game.
Southern Maine will host the University of Massachusetts Boston on Tuesday
(February 6) at 7:30 p.m. in a Little East Conference matchup. Eastern
Connecticut visits LEC rival Western Connecticut on Tuesday in their next
action.
********************************************************************************
Wednesday, January 31, 2001
Huskies Snap 11-Game Losing Skid, Rout Monks 101-72
GORHAM, Maine -- Senior Wade Millett (East Waterboro, Maine) converted
6-of-8 shots from beyond the three-point arc on the way to scoring a game-high
23 points as the University of Southern Maine Huskies routed the visiting St.
Joseph's College Monks, 101-72, in a non-conference men's college basketball
game Wednesday night at the Warren G. Hill Gymnasium.
The win snapped the Huskies' 11-game losing streak, dating back to
December 6 when they upset Colby College on the road. The 101 points were the
most scored by a USM team since the Huskies scored 104 against Maine Maritime
in November 1997. Southern Maine improved its overall record to 5-14. St.
Joseph's dropped its third game in the last four to fall to 12-9 overall.
Millett was 6-of-7 from long-range territory in the second half as USM
blew the game open. The 6-foot-2 forward hit four three-pointers in the first
eight minutes of the second half to help the Huskies expand their eight-point
(44-36) halftime lead to 23 points (65-42) with 12:39 to play.
Senior guard Corey Zimmerman (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) and junior forward
Jason St. Pierre (Bangor, Maine) combined for 38 points to support Millett's
effort. The two each scored 12 points as the Huskies overcame a three-point
deficit (23-20) to build an eight-point lead at the break. Freshman guard Steve
Stults (Portland, Maine) put the Huskies into the lead (27-26) for good with his
only points of the game, a three-point shot from the corner, with 7:01 to play
in the half.
St. Pierre had six straight points in the second half as the Huskies
turned the game into a rout with six minutes to play. Zimmerman finished with
20 points and five assists while St. Pierre had 18 points and four assists.
Freshman Jeff White (Etna, Maine) also reached double digits with 11.
St. Joseph's was led by freshman guard Leroy Gore (Miami, Fla.) who had 19
points. Sophomore C.J. Vose (Yarmouth, Maine) was the only other Monk to reach
double figures, tallying 13 points.
Southern Maine, which beat St. Joe's in the season-opener November 17,
78-70, hit on 12-of-22 three-point shots in the game, including 7-of-12 in the
second half. Five different USM players hit shots from beyond the arc. The
Huskies shot 48.4 percent (32-of-66) overall for the game.
St. Joe's, which was hurt by 22 turnovers, went cold in the second half,
making only 12-of-38 shots (31.6%) from the floor. The Monks went over four
minutes without a point as USM went on a 9-0 run to expand its lead to 23.
The game was marred by 49 fouls, the ejection of St. Joseph's head coach
Rick Simonds for getting his second technical foul with 5:33 to play, and the
ejection of a St. Joe's player for a flagrant foul in the final minute.
Southern Maine returns to action Saturday when it hosts Eastern
Connecticut State University in a Little East Conference game starting at 3:00
p.m. St. Joseph's will look to rebound against Thomas College next Wednesday
night (5:30 p.m.) at home.
********************************************************************************
Saturday, January 27, 2001
Houtman, Corsairs Overwhelm Huskies, 92-68
NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. -- Senior Marques Houtman (New Bedford, Mass.)
scored 25 points to lead a balanced attack as the University of Massachusetts
Dartmouth Corsairs cruised to a dominating 92-68 victory over the University of
Southern Maine Huskies in a Little East Conference men's college basketball game
Saturday afternoon at the Francis Tripp Athletic Center.
UMass Dartmouth, winner of 12 straight games, upped its overall record to
17-1 on the season and remains atop the Little East Conference at 8-1. The
Corsairs were ranked first in this week's NCAA Division III New England Region
poll, and 23rd in the nation in the D3Hoops.com poll. Southern Maine has lost
eleven in a row to dip to 4-14 overall and remains winless in conference play at
0-9
Southern Maine trailed just 15-11 after five-and-a-half minutes. The
Corsairs then went on a 14-3 run over the next five minutes to build a 29-14
advantage and never looked back. Senior Wade Millett (East Waterboro, Maine)
broke the Corsairs streak with a three-point shot at the 9:10 mark, but UMD
rattled off eight straight points for a 37-17 margin with 6:05 remaining. UMass
Dartmouth went to the locker room with a comfortable 47-25 lead at the break.
The Corsairs shot a sizzling 56 percent (20-for-36) in the first half,
while the Huskies struggled, making only 30 percent (10-for-33) from the floor.
UMD continued its torrid shooting in the second half. The Corsairs' lead
never dipped below 20 points, peaking at 34 points, 88-54, on a bucket by
sophomore Sean Walsh (East Sandwich, Mass.) with 3:19 remaining.
Houtman made 10-of-13 field goal attempts on the way to his game-high 25
points. Sophomore Brian Cagle (Norwich, Conn.) netted 12 points, all in the
first half, and snared a game-high eight rebounds. Senior John Madden (Carver,
Mass.) added ten points. All 12 Corsairs who saw action made it into the
scoring column. Sophomore Tim Gaspar (Dartmouth, Mass.), the Little East
Conference's leading playmaker, dished out a game-high five assists.
Southern Maine freshman guard Steve Stults (Portland, Maine), making his
first collegiate start, and fellow rookie Jeff White (Etna, Maine) each scored
ten points to lead the Huskies. Millett pulled down a team-high six rebounds.
UMass Dartmouth finished the day shooting 55 percent from the floor while
the Huskies made just 35 percent of their field goal attempts. The Corsairs
also held a big advantage off the glass, out-rebounding Southern Maine, 46-28.
Southern Maine will host traditional rival St. Joseph's College Wednesday
(January 31) at 7:30 p.m. in its next action. UMass Dartmouth entertains Salem
State College on Thursday (February 1) at 7:00 p.m.
********************************************************************************
Tuesday, January 23, 2001
Blackburn Leads PSC Panthers Past USM Huskies, 57-53
GORHAM, Maine -- Junior center Jason Blackburn (Hudson, Mass.) poured in
30 points, grabbed 21 rebounds and blocked three shots to lead the Plymouth
State College Panthers to a hard-fought, 57-53 victory over the University of
Southern Maine Huskies in a Little East Conference men's basketball game Tuesday
night at the Warren G. Hill Gymnasium.
The victory snapped a three-game losing skid for the Panthers who moved
back to .500 for the season at 8-8 overall and 3-3 in the conference. Southern
Maine dropped its 10th straight game to fall to 4-13 overall. The Huskies are
winless in the conference at 0-8.
The 6-foot-5 Blackburn was virtually unstoppable inside, scoring on a
variety of shots, including a three-pointer in the first half. At one point in
the second half, he was the only PSC player to score, tallying 10 straight
points. He combined with senior forward Tony Martinez (Barnstead, N.H.) to
score 46 of the Panthers' 57 points.
Trailing 50-46 after basket by USM senior Corey Zimmerman (Cape Elizabeth,
Maine) with 5:40 to play, the Panthers went on a 10-0 run over the next four
minutes to regain the lead for good. Martinez put PSC ahead with 3:31 left, and
Blackburn followed 46 seconds later with another basket to give the visitors a
four-point lead (54-50). USM got no closer than three points the rest of the
game.
In the opening half, Blackburn poured in 17, and Martinez nine, of the
Panthers' 32 points. Blackburn scored the first seven points of the game for
PSC, including a three-point shot. PSC led by as many as 11 (20-9), but the
Huskies stayed close with some balanced scoring despite cold shooting (7-for-
29), 24 percent). The Panthers took a 32-25 lead to the locker room.
USM mounted a methodical second half push behind the scoring of Zimmerman
and senior Wade Millett (East Waterboro, Maine). As PSC went cold after a
Blackburn basket (42-39) with 9:29 to go, Millett hit a three-pointer, Zimmerman
sank two free throws and followed with a three-point shot to give USM a five
point lead (47-42) with 7:28 to play.
Martinez grabbed seven rebounds to go along with his 16 points.
Zimmerman led the Huskies attack with 17 points and five assists. Junior
Jason St. Pierre (Bangor, Maine) ended up in double figures with 12 points.
Plymouth State shot 36 percent (22-for-62) from the field in the game and
committed 25 turnovers. Southern Maine shot a stone-cold 28 percent (17-for-61)
on the night. The Panthers held a big margin on the boards, 53-33.
Southern Maine will try to break its losing streak this Saturday when the
Huskies travel to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth for a 3:00 p.m.
game. Plymouth State will host conference rival Western Connecticut State
University, also on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.
********************************************************************************
Saturday, January 20, 2001
Coates Paces Owls Over Huskies, 96-81
Millet Notches Career High for USM
KEENE, N.H. -- Senior Chris Coates (Hampton, N.H.) scored a game-high 22
points to lead the Keene State College Owls to a 96-81 victory over the
University of Southern Maine Huskies in Little East Conference men's basketball
action Saturday afternoon at Spaulding Gymnasium.
Southern Maine, which lost its ninth straight game, drops to 4-12 on the
season and remains winless in Little East play at 0-7. Keene State improves to
10-4 overall by winning its fourth in a row, and is 5-1 in the conference.
Coates scored seven of the Owls' first 21 points as Keene raced out to an
early 23-7 lead in the first seven minutes. Southern Maine clawed back with a
24-8 run of its own to pull even, 31-31, on a three-point basket by freshman
Steve Stults (Portland, Maine) with 4:49 remaining in the half. Freshman Jeff
White (Etna, Maine) scored eight points in the run while senior Wade Millett
(East Waterboro, Maine) added seven.
The teams battled evenly until the break, with Southern Maine taking a
two-point lead three times during the final three minutes of the half. USM
could not hold its margin, however, trailing at the break, 46-43.
Keene State moved ahead 51-45 early in the second period, but Huskies'
junior Jason St. Pierre (Bangor, Maine) and Millett each drained three-pointers
to knot the game at 51-all with 17:45 remaining.
Coates scored at the 16:15 mark to put the Owls ahead to stay as KSC went
on a 21-4 run over the next six minutes to take a comfortable 72-55 lead with
ten minutes remaining. USM refused to wilt, putting up a 14-2 burst to draw
within five, 74-69, on a Millett three-pointer with 7:01 left. The Huskies
would not get any closer the rest of the way.
Coates also shared game-high rebounding honors, grabbing 12 to go along
with his team-leading 22 points. Junior Dave Stantial (Beverly, Mass.) also
posted a double-double with 18 points and 12 caroms. Freshman Chris Timson
(Beverly, Mass.) came off to bench to score 14 points while sophomore Kyle
Purinton (Northwood, N.H.) chipped in with 13.
Millett paced the Huskies with a career-high 24 points on 9-of-16
shooting, including 6-of-12 from behind the arc. He also pulled down a team-
leading seven rebounds. White scored 19 points and garnered seven boards as
well. St. Pierre was the only other Husky to reach double digits, notching 13
points.
Southern Maine made 15-of-42 three-point attempts, while shooting 39
percent (28-of-71) overall. Keene State hit 49 percent (32-of-65) from the
floor.
Southern Maine will host Little East Conference foe Plymouth State College
Tuesday (January 23) at 7:30 p.m. Keene State will entertain Eastern
Connecticut State University Tuesday in an LEC match-up.
********************************************************************************
Tuesday, January 16, 2000
Hercule Shines as Beacons Knock Off Huskies, 82-70
BOSTON, Mass. -- Senior forward Mitchel Hercule (Mattapan, Mass.) hit on
10-of-12 shots from the field to score 23 points as the University of
Massachusetts Boston Beacons went on the defeat the University of Southern Maine
Huskies, 82-70, in a Little East Conference men's game Tuesday night at the
Clark Athletic Center.
The loss was the eighth straight for the Huskies who fall to 4-11 on the
season. Southern Maine remained winless (0-6) in Little East play. UMass
Boston snapped a three-game losing skid with just its second victory in its last
nine games. The Beacons improved to 7-8 overall and 3-3 in the conference.
The Beacons established a 12-5 lead in the first eight minutes on the
inside play of Hercule (three baskets), and never trailed in the game. Hercule
was 5-for-5 from the floor and 2-for-2 at the line for 12 points before
intermission. Southern Maine shot a frigid 23 percent (7-for-31) in the half,
yet was down only nine (33-24) at intermission.
After Hercule opened the second half with a bucket, Southern Maine went on
an 8-0 run to close within three (35-32) with 16:45 to go. The Huskies got
three-point baskets from junior Jason St. Pierre (Bangor, Maine) and freshman
Jeff White (Etna, Maine), and a basket by senior Wade Millett (East Waterboro,
Maine) in the run.
The Beacons responded with a 14-2 run, ignited by a pair of baskets from
junior Earl West (South Boston, Mass.), over the next five minutes to re-
establish their double-digit lead (49-34). The margin would stay in double
figures the rest of the night.
USM did close to within 10 (72-62) with 1:41 left on two St. Pierre free
throws, but a quick 6-0 spurt, keyed by sophomore Paul Kemp's (Cambridge, Mass.)
two baskets, sealed the victory.
UMB junior guard Frankie Patten (Brighton, Mass.) came off the bench to
toss in 17 points and dish out a team-high six assists. West ended up with 12,
and Kemp had 11 for the Beacons. The Beacons shot 49 percent (27-for-55) from
the floor for the game, and had wide margin (32-16) in free throw attempts.
St. Pierre led the Huskies with 20 points. Millett chipped in 13 points,
but was just 4-of-16 from the floor. Southern Maine's shooting improved to 45
percent (18-for-40) in the second half, but the Huskies finished the game
shooting only 35 percent (25-for-71).
Southern Maine travels to Keene, N.H., on Saturday to face the Keene State
College Owls in Little East Conference contest starting at 3:00 p.m. UMass
Boston will host non-conference rival Bridgewater State College Thursday
evening.
********************************************************************************
Saturday, January 13, 2001
Stewart and Rinas Rally Colonials Past Huskies in OT, 83-78
GORHAM, Maine -- Senior Everton Stewart (Bloomfield, Conn.) scored the
go-ahead basket and junior Lenny Rinas (Bristol, Conn.) sank four clutch free
throws in the final 18 seconds to lead the Western Connecticut State University
Colonials to an 83-78, overtime victory over the University of Southern Maine
Huskies in Little East Conference men's college basketball action Saturday
afternoon at the Warren G. Hill Gymnasium.
Southern Maine, which has now lost seven straight, dipped to 4-10 for the
season and remains winless in Little East play at 0-5. Western Connecticut
improved its overall record to 7-5 and 3-2 in the conference.
Western Connecticut, which trailed 76-72 after Husky freshman Jeff White
(Etna, Maine) converted an offensive rebound with 2:23 remaining, out-scored USM
11-to-2 in the final 2:10 of overtime to pull out the victory.
Junior guard Kevin Matthews (Assigning, N.Y.) scored on drive at 2:10 to
make it 76-74. USM freshman Jason Thibodeau (Old Town, Maine) converted one of
two free throws for a 77-74 lead. Rinas then tied the game with a three-pointer
from the top of the key at 1:54.
Stewart put the Colonials ahead to stay with a lay-up at the 1:05 mark.
Thibodeau again made one of two free throws with 37 seconds left to pull the
Huskies within one, but Rinas hit two from the charity stripe with 18 seconds
on the clock to put the Colonials up 81-78.
Southern Maine junior Jason St. Pierre (Bangor, Maine) missed an off-
balance three-point shot from the top of the key with six seconds left. Rinas
then swished two more free throws with two seconds remaining to seal the Huskies
fate.
Southern Maine, which led by as much as ten in the first half, held a
37-31 advantage at the break. The Huskies outscored the Colonials 19-13 through
the first ten minutes of the second half, taking their largest lead of the
afternoon, 56-44, on a bucket by freshman Steve Stults (Portland, Maine) with
10:19 remaining.
Western Connecticut then went on a 27-15 run, keyed by 13 points from
Rinas and six from Stewart. USM led 71-69 on a jumper in the lane from senior
Corey Zimmerman (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) with 0:57 left in regulation but
Matthews scored on a drive with 31 seconds left to force the overtime. Southern
Maine had a shot to win with six seconds left but St. Pierre's trey hit the rim
and bounced away.
Rinas led all scorers with 25 points while Stewart and sophomore Mark
Carter (Peekskill, N.Y.) each added 16 for the Colonials. Stewart also pulled
down a game-high 12 rebounds.
White paced three Huskies in double figures with 15 points. Zimmerman
tossed in 13 points and dished out a game-high five assists. St. Pierre scored
12 points and snared five boards.
USM struggled from the free-throw line in the late stages of regulation
and made only 3-of-7 charity attempts in overtime. Overall the Huskies made
23-of-34 free throws in the foul-plagued contest. The Colonials netted 25-of-31
at the line, including 10-of-10 by Rinas.
Both teams shot 46 percent from the floor. WCSU out-rebounded USM, 33-27
Southern Maine will next play Tuesday (January 16), when the Huskies
travel to the University of Massachusetts Boston for a 7:30 p.m. Little East
Conference game. Western Connecticut will play at Eastern Connecticut on
Tuesday.
********************************************************************************
Thursday, January 11, 2001
Bobcats Rally Past Huskies, 75-58
LEWISTON, Maine -- Junior forward Alex Wilson (Duxbury, Mass.) scored
ten of Bates College first 12 points in the second half to erase a two-point
half-time deficit and help lift the Bobcats past the visiting University of
Southern Maine Huskies, 75-58, in a non-conference men's college basketball game
Thursday night at Alumni Gymnasium.
The win was the sixth straight for the Bobcats who improved to 8-3 on the
season. The six-game winning streak is Bates longest since the 1991-92 season.
The Huskies dropped their sixth consecutive decision to fall to 4-9.
Trailing 27-25 at the break, Bates used a 12-5 run to open the second half
to take the lead for good. Wilson connected on two medium-range jump shots in
the first minute to give the Bobcats a two-point edge.
USM senior Wade Millett (East Waterboro, Maine) hit a three-point shot to
regain the lead for the Huskies before Bates senior Rommel Padonou (Libreville,
Gabon) and Husky sophomore Ryan Thomas (Hampden, Maine) traded baskets, leaving
USM a one-point margin, 32-31.
The 6-foot-6 Wilson then hit two long-range three-point shots to give the
Bobcats the lead for good, 37-32, with 17 minutes to play.
Southern Maine stayed close for the next seven minutes, cutting the lead
to two on three occasions, the last at 49-47 on another Millett three-point shot
with 10:18 to play.
Bates outscored Southern Maine 26-11 over the final ten minutes behind the
offensive efforts of Wilson, Padonou and junior Ed Walker (Roxbury, Mass.). The
three Bobcats standouts combined for 42 of their team's 50 points in the second
half.
The Huskies led much of the first half that featured five ties and five
lead changes. USM took the lead on a Thomas basket with four minutes left in
the half and held it until intermission. Millett had nine points in the first
half.
Wilson finished with a game-high 22 points on 10-for-14 shooting for the
field while Walker tossed in 18 and Padonou finished with 16. Walker and
Padonou shared game-high rebounding honors with 10 apiece.
Millett led the Huskies with 15 points on five three-point field goals.
Junior Jason St. Pierre (Bangor, Maine) also reached double figures with 12
points.
Bates shot 40.3 percent from the field for the game, including 51.4
percent (19-for-37) in the decisive second half. The Bobcats outscored the
Huskies 50-31 in the second half. Southern Maine shot 30.2 percent for the game
and turned the ball over 21 times.
Bates will travel to Waterville, Maine, for a game with in-state rival
Colby College on Saturday starting at 4:00 p.m. Southern Maine will host Little
East Conference rival Western Connecticut State University on Saturday. Tip-off
is set for 3:00 p.m.
********************************************************************************
Tuesday, January 9, 2001
Men's College Basketball
Jernigan and Payette Rally Anchormen Past Huskies
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Sophomore Kenny Jernigan (Hartford, Conn.) and
senior Ken Payette (Woonsocket, R.I.) combined for 42 points, 31 coming in the
second half, to lead the Rhode Island College Anchormen to a come-from-behind,
80-67 victory over the University of Southern Maine Huskies in Little East
Conference men's basketball action Tuesday evening.
Southern Maine dropped its fifth straight to fall to 4-8 overall on the
season. The Huskies remained winless in Little East play at 0-4. Rhode Island
College improved to 4-7 overall and 1-2 in the conference.
Jernigan led all scorers with 23 points, 19 of those in the second half,
while Payette poured in 19 points, 12 in the final period. RIC trailed at the
half, 38-34, but erupted for 46 points on 65 percent (19-of-29) field goal
shooting in the second stanza to pull out the victory.
Southern Maine shot well in the first half, hitting at 52 percent (15-of-
29). The Huskies reached their largest lead of the night, 22-10, on a three-
pointer by junior Geoff Grigsby (Bridgeton, Maine) at the 9:25 mark.
The Anchormen rallied to take a 31-29 advantage with 3:26 remaining on a
three-pointer by sophomore Pete Mollo (No. Providence, R.I.). USM regained the
lead 34-31 when junior Jason St. Pierre (Bangor, Maine) stroked a three, and the
Huskies went to the locker room up 38-34.
The Huskies' half-time lead evaporated quickly as the Anchormen went on a
10-2 run to open the second half. An 8-3 run by the Huskies, capped off by a
three-point shot by senior Wade Millett (East Waterboro, Maine), gave the
visitors their last lead, 48-47, with 13:20 to play..
Jernigan scored on the break to put the Anchormen up for good, 49-48. He
and Payette continued to fill the net, pushing RIC's lead to 64-54 with 6:29
left. USM was unable to reduce the deficit below seven points for the remainder
of the contest. The 13-point final margin was the game's largest.
Mollo and sophomore Mike Costigan (Pawtucket, R.I.) each tallied ten
points for the Anchormen. Costigan also grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.
St. Pierre paced the Huskies with 19 points. Freshman Jason Thibodeau
(Old Town, Maine) and Millett each tossed in 11 markers. Millett continued his
recent outstanding work on the boards, hauling down a career-high 13 caroms.
RIC finished the evening shooting a sparkling 54 percent (34-of-62)
overall, while USM hit at 42 percent (26-of-62), including 11-of-30 three-point
attempts. USM out-rebounded the Anchormen 35-31.
Southern Maine will host Western Connecticut in a Little East game
Saturday (January 13) at 3:00 p.m. Rhode Island College will entertain LEC foe
Eastern Connecticut on Saturday.
********************************************************************************
Saturday, January 6, 2001
Vega, Avent Rally Warriors Past Huskies 72-62
WILLIMANTIC, Conn. -- Junior Rich Vega (Hartford, Conn.) poured in a
game-high 27 points and senior Ashon Avent (Hartford, Conn.) hit the go-ahead
basket to rally the Eastern Connecticut State University Warriors to a 72-62
victory over the University of Southern Maine Huskies in Little East Conference
men's basketball action Saturday afternoon at the Francis E. Geissler Gymnasium.
Southern Maine has dropped four straight games to fall to 4-7 on the
season, 0-3 in Little East play. Eastern Connecticut, the defending conference
champion, improved to 7-4 overall and 2-1 in the conference.
Vega scored 11 points during the final 3:24 as the Warriors stormed back
from a 60-50 deficit, outscoring the Huskies 22-2 down the stretch. Avent
scored off an offensive rebound to put Eastern Connecticut up for good, 61-60,
at the 1:55 mark. After a Huskies' miss, Vega then drilled a three-pointer from
the top of the key to increase the margin to 64-60. He then converted four
straight free throws for a 68-60 lead with 27 seconds left.
Southern Maine, which trailed by as many as 11 (30-19) in a see-saw first
half, out-scored the Warriors 16-5 over the final 5:05 of the period to pull
within two, 37-35, at the break. Husky senior Wade Millett (East Waterboro,
Maine) scored 15 of his career-high 22 points in the first stanza to keep the
Huskies close.
The teams battled evenly through the first eight minutes of the second
half. Sophomore Matt Tarbox (Standish, Maine) started a 13-2 Huskies' run with
a driving lay-up at the 12:02 mark to put USM up 49-48. Millett scored four
points, junior Jason St. Pierre (Bangor, Maine) nailed a three-pointer, and
junior Geoff Grigsby (Bridgton, Maine) and sophomore Ryan Soucie (Caribou,
Maine) each canned a bucket to give USM its largest lead of the day, 60-50, with
6:47 left.
Southern Maine then went ice-cold from the floor. The Huskies did not
score again until freshman Jeff White (Etna, Maine) hit a corner jumper with
just 18 seconds remaining to pull USM within six, 68-62. Vega and junior center
Billy Rea (Winsted, Conn.) each made two free throws in the final 17 seconds to
seal the win for the Warriors.
Ray registered a double-double, scoring 14 points and grabbing a game-high
12 rebounds.
Millett, the only Husky to reach double digits, also led Southern Maine in
rebounding, pulling down seven caroms. Senior point guard Corey Zimmerman
(Cape Elizabeth, Maine) dished out a game-high six assists.
The Warriors held a significant advantage at the line, sinking 14-of-22
free throws. USM had only nine free throw attempts, making six. Eastern
Connecticut shot 48 percent from the floor (26-of-54). Southern Maine made 40
percent of its field goal attempts (23-of-57). Eastern Connecticut out-
rebounded Southern Maine, 35-to-30.
Southern Maine next plays Tuesday (January 9), when the Huskies travel to
Rhode Island College for a 7:30 p.m. Little East Conference match-up. Eastern
Connecticut will host LEC foe UMass Dartmouth Tuesday.
********************************************************************************
Tuesday, January 2, 2001
Jeff White Named Little East Conference Rookie of the Week
GORHAM, Maine -- Freshman guard/forward Jeff White (Etna, Maine) of the
University of Southern Maine Huskies men's basketball team has been chosen as
the Little East Conference Rookie of the Week. The announcement was made by the
conference office Tuesday afternoon.
The weekly honor is the first of the 6-foot-2 swingman's career.
The Nokomis Regional High School graduate shot a blistering 87 percent
from the floor (13-of-15) in a pair of tournament games against St. John's
University (Minn.) and Colby-Sawyer College last week. He averaged 16.0 points
and 2.0 rebounds with six assists and three steals.
White played an outstanding game for the Huskies against Colby-Sawyer in
the second round of the Land of Magic Classic, hosted by Embry-Riddle University
(Daytona Beach, Fla.). He erupted for a career-high 25 points, hitting 10-of-12
field goals and making all five of his free throw attempts. He also dished out
a team-high five assists and grabbed three rebounds.
For the season, White is averaging 10.1 points, second highest on the
squad, while shooting a team-high 54.7 percent from the floor (35-of-64). He
also leads USM in rebounding, snaring 4.0 per game. He is ranked third in
three-point field goal percentage (.345) and assists (14).
Southern Maine, 4-6 on the season, looks to break a three-game losing
streak when it returns to action Saturday (January 6) with a Little East
Conference contest at Eastern Connecticut State University. The opening tap is
set for 3:00 p.m.
********************************************************************************
Saturday, December, 30, 2000
Land of Magic Classic
Paquette, Chargers Pull Away to Defeat Huskies
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Junior Calen Paquette (Hooksett, N.H.) poured
in 29 points to lead the Colby-Sawyer College Chargers to a 79-69 victory over
the University of Southern Maine Huskies in men's basketball action Saturday
afternoon in the second round of the Land of Magic Classic hosted by Embry-
Riddle University.
Colby-Sawyer improved its record to 5-5 with the win. Southern Maine
dropped to 4-6 on the season.
Southern Maine tied the game at 64-64 on a jumper by freshman Jason
Thibodeau (Old Town, Maine) with 3:29 remaining, but the Chargers went on a 15-5
run over the final three minutes to pull out the victory.
Sophomore Ethan Betts (Strong, Maine) scored on a layup with 3:03
remaining to break the tie, and made two free throws at 2:32 to put the Chargers
up, 68-64. USM freshman Jeff White (Etna, Maine) countered with a jumper at
2:11 to narrow the gap to 68-66. Colby-Sawyer junior Brendan Carey (Hanover,
N.H.) followed with a bucket at the 1:34 mark for a 70-66 margin.
Paquette then took over, scoring seven straight points on a jumper and
five free throws over a ten-second span to give the Chargers an insurmountable
77-66 lead with 0:40 remaining.
The teams battled through a see-saw first half. USM's largest lead (6-2)
came just 2:17 into the game on a White basket. Colby-Sawyer led by as many as
10 in the first half, before settling for a 38-32 lead at the break.
White played an outstanding game for the Huskies, scoring a career-high 25
points on 10-of-12 field goal shooting and making all five of his free throw
attempts. He also dished out a team-high five assists and grabbed three
rebounds.
Thibodeau and junior Jason St. Pierre (Bangor, Maine) joined White in
double figures, St. Pierre scoring 13 points while Thibodeau added 10 points and
four assists. Senior Wade Millett (East Waterboro, Maine) again led the Huskies
in rebounding, tying for game honors with eight caroms and tossing in nine
points.
Junior Grant Kelly (Bedford, N.H.) scored 15 points and snared eight
boards for the Chargers, while Betts added 13 points.
Both teams shot well from the floor, Southern Maine hitting 46 percent
(28-of-62) while Colby-Sawyer shot 48 percent (27-56). The Chargers held a
decided advantage from the free throw line, making 19-of-25 while USM went to
the line only nine times, making six.
Southern Maine will travel to Eastern Connecticut State University next
Saturday (January 6) for a Little East Conference matchup. Colby-Sawyer will
host Bowdoin on Tuesday (January 9) at 7:00 p.m.
********************************************************************************
Friday, December 29, 2000
Land of Magic Classic
Hot-Shooting Johnnies Smack Huskies
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Senior Troy Bigalke (Monticello, Minn.) and
junior Luke Witt (Red Wing, Minn.) each scored 16 points to power the St. John's
University (Collegeville, Minn.) Johnnies to a convincing 87-67 victory over the
University of Southern Maine Huskies in men's college basketball action Friday
afternoon in the opening round of the Land of Magic Classic hosted by Embry-
Riddle University.
St. John's improves to 2-3 with the win, while Southern Maine dips to 4-5
on the season.
USM stayed with the hot-shooting Johnnies early in the game, taking a
15-14 lead on a three-point basket by freshman Jason Thibodeau (Old Town, Maine)
with 10:38 remaining in the first half. This proved to be the Huskies' last
lead as St. John's went on a 17-3 run over the next five-and-a-half minutes to
grab a 31-18 lead with 5:10 to go on a jumper by junior guard Ryan Keating
(Minnetonka, Minn.).
Southern Maine trailed by as much as 19 points (43-24) before scoring
seven straight in the final 57 seconds to trail 43-31 at the break. Senior Wade
Millett (East Waterboro, Maine) canned two free throws, Thibodeau nailed another
trey and senior Corey Zimmerman (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) hit a jumper at the
buzzer to key the Huskies' run.
St. John's shot a blistering 67 percent (18-of-27) in the first half,
while Southern Maine hit 42 percent (11-of-26) of its field goal tries.
The taller Johnnies pulled away midway through the second half behind Witt
and Bigalke, taking a 64-44 lead on a layup by sophomore Mark Nagle (Wausau,
Wis.) with 10:16 left. St. John's margin peaked at 29 points (76-47) on two
Witt free throws at the 5:32 mark.
Junior Mike Nester (Redwood falls, Minn.) recorded a double-double for the
Johnnies, scoring 13 points and hauling down a game-high 10 rebounds. St.
John's dominated the Huskies on the boards, finishing with a 44-23 rebounding
advantage.
St. John's finished the game shooting a torrid 61 percent (34-of-56) from
the floor. Southern Maine made 39 percent (24-of-61) of its field goal
attempts.
Millett came off the bench to pace USM, registering team highs in points
(13) and rebounds (5). No other Husky reached double figures. Zimmerman
tallied nine points, while junior Jason St. Pierre (Bangor, Maine) added eight
points..
Southern Maine will play Colby-Sawyer College Saturday (December 30) at
3:00 p.m. in the second day of the tournament. St. John's will take on Lakeland
College Saturday.
********************************************************************************
Saturday, December 9, 2000
Corsairs Hold-Off Huskies Behind Gaspar and Cecilio
GORHAM, Maine -- Sophomore Tim Gaspar (Dartmouth, Mass.) and senior Nick
Cecilio (Centerville, Mass.) led the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Corsairs to a hard-fought, 71-57 victory over the University of Southern Maine
Huskies in Little East Conference men's basketball action Saturday afternoon at
the Warren G. Hill Gymnasium.
With the victory, UMass Dartmouth improved to 7-1 on the season, 1-1 in
Little East play. Southern Maine dropped to 4-4 overall and 1-1 in the
conference.
The 6-foot-8 Cecilio recorded a double-double, taking game honors with 20
points and 14 rebounds. He also notched five steals.
Gaspar tormented the Huskies for the entire game with his defense and
passing, tallying game-highs in steals and assists with seven of each. He also
tossed in 16 points for the Corsairs, including a perfect 8-of-8 from the free
throw line.
Southern Maine took the early advantage, leading 19-10 with 13:34
remaining in the first half on a three-point basket by senior Wade Millet (East
Waterborne, Maine). The Huskies then went cold from the floor, going scoreless
for nearly six minutes until junior Casey Hamlin (Milo, Maine) hit a jumper at
the 7:43 mark to pull the Huskies within one, 22-21. The Corsairs outscored
USM 16-10 over the last seven minutes of the half to take a 38-31 at the break.
UMass Dartmouth surged to an 18-point lead (54-36) midway through the
second half on a bucket by Gaspar at 11:45. Southern Maine then went on an 18-6
run to cut the deficit to just six (60-54) on a three-point bomb by junior Jason
St. Pierre (Bangor, Maine) with 3:25 remaining.
Gaspar and Cecilio took over for the Corsairs down the stretch, scoring
nine of the Corsairs' final 11 points. Gaspar made six-of-six free throws and
Cecilio notched a bucket and a free-throw in the final three minutes to hold off
the Huskies.
St. Pierre paced Southern Maine with 11 points and five rebounds.
Sophomore center Ryan Thomas (Hamden, Maine), coming off an early-season ankle
injury, was the only other Husky to reach double figures, scoring ten points.
Freshman Jeff White (Etna, Maine) grabbed ten rebounds for the Huskies and added
seven points.
Southern Maine, playing without senior starting point guard Corey
Zimmerman (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) who was ill, was plagued by the Corsairs
trapping press defense, committing 29 turnovers. The Corsairs recorded 22
steals.
Senior Marquees Whitman (New Bedford, Mass.) joined Cecilio and Gaspar in
double digits with 12 points.
Southern Maine will play next on December 29 when they take on St. John's
University (Minn.) in the Land of Magic Classic hosted by Embry-Riddle
University of Daytona Beach, Florida. UMass Dartmouth plays next on January 2
against Juanita College in the Naismith Classic at Springfield College.
********************************************************************************
Wednesday, December 6, 2000
Huskies Hand White Mules First Loss of the Season, 64-59
USM Beats Colby for the First Time since 1988
WATERVILLE, Maine -- Senior Wade Millett (East Waterboro, Maine) and
sophomore Ryan Thomas (Hampden, Maine) combined for 30 points as the University
of Southern Maine Huskies upset the unbeaten Colby College White Mules, 64-59,
in a non-conference game Wednesday night at the Harold Alfond Athletic Center.
The Huskies avenged a 65-48 loss to Colby in the finals of last month's
Maine State Tournament to hand the White Mules their first loss of the season
after five straight wins. USM also snapped a 16-game losing streak against
Colby dating back to 1988. The Huskies last win against the White Mules was on
January 13, 1988.
Millett hit on 5-of-8 shots, all from three-point territory, and a pair of
free throws for his team-high 17 points. He scored 11 points in the second half
as the Huskies held off the White Mules.
Thomas, who missed the earlier game against Colby with an injury, tossed
in 13 points, including 3-of-4 free throws in the final 81 seconds. It was the
6-foot-8 forward's two charity tosses with 1:21 to play that gave the Huskies
the lead (57-56) for good. USM hit 9-of-10 free throws in the final 81 seconds
to pull out the win.
Senior Zeb Davis (Skowhegan, Maine) and junior Damien Strahorn (Menlo
Park, Cal.) led the White Mules second-half comeback bid. Davis, who finished
with 11 points, hit a jumper from the wing with 2:53 to go to give Colby its
second and last lead of the second half, 56-55. Strahorn, who had 17 of his
game-high 19 points in the second half, pulled Colby within three (62-59) with
8.8 seconds to play, but Colby got no closer.
In the first half, there were three lead changes and four ties before the
Huskies scored the final five points of the half to take a 29-24 lead to the
locker room. Colby's biggest edge was three points while USM's largest lead was
six. The White Mules shot just 31 percent (8 for 26) in the half while the
Huskies shot 46 percent (11 for 24), including 5-of-11 from beyond the three-
point arc.
Colby senior Sam Clark (Woolwich, Maine) was the only other player to
reach double figures with 16 points.
USM finished the game shooting 47 percent from the floor (20-for-43),
including 45 percent (9-for-20) from beyond the arc, and 94 percent from the
foul line (15-for-16). Colby shot just 39 percent (23-for-59) from the floor.
Southern Maine, which hosts Little East rival UMass Dartmouth on Saturday,
improved to 4-3 with the victory. Colby, now 5-1, plays in the St. Joseph's
College Tournament this Friday and Saturday.
********************************************************************************
Saturday, December 2, 2000
Coates Leads Balanced Attack as Owls Dominate Huskies
GORHAM, Maine --Senior forward Chris Coates (Hampton, N.H.) scored 15
points and grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds for a double-double to lead the Keene
State College Owls to an impressive 80-49 victory over the University of
Southern Maine Huskies in the Little East Conference men's basketball opener for
both teams Saturday afternoon at the Warren G. Hill Gymnasium.
With the victory, Keene State has won three straight and improved to 4-1
on the season, 1-0 in Little East play. Southern Maine dropped to 3-3 overall
and 0-1 in the conference.
The taller Owls dominated the game almost from the start, holding the
Huskies scoreless for over five minutes to jump out to a 23-8 lead midway
through the first half. Coates scored eight points, junior Dave Stantial
(Beverly, Mass.) had seven points and sophomore Kyle Purinton (Northwood, N.H.)
scored five points to key the Owls early run and lead the visitors an
insurmountable 44-19 lead at the break.
The Owls' lead peaked at 37 points twice in second half, the last time
coming on a free throw by sophomore Hunter Jackson (Kennebunk, Maine) with 2:07
remaining to make the score 75-38.
Southern Maine struggled from the floor the entire game, hitting just 30
percent (15-of-50) and only 2-of-22 (9 percent) from beyond the three-point
stripe. The Owls finished the day making 50 percent of their field goal
attempts (30-of-60) overall and 8-of-22 (36 percent) from beyond the three-point
stripe.
Keene State dominated on the boards out-rebounding USM 43-26.
The Owls finished with four players in double figures. Coates led all
scorers with 15 points. Stantial and Purinton had 13 and 12 points,
respectively, while senior guard Fred Fieldhouse (Somers, Conn.) tossed in 11
points.
Freshman Jeff White (Etna, Maine) was the lone Husky to reach double
figures scoring 12 points.
Southern Maine travels to Colby College for its next game this Wednesday
(December 6) at 7:30 p.m. Keene State plays Tuesday (December 5) at New England
College at 7:30 p.m.
********************************************************************************
Thursday, November 30, 2000
St. Pierre, Thibodeau Shoot Huskies Past Nor'easters
GORHAM, Maine -- Junior Jason St. Pierre (Bangor, Maine) and freshman
Jason Thibodeau (Old Town, Maine) combined for 36 points to lead the University
of Southern Maine Huskies to a 79-63 victory over the University of New England
Nor'easters in non-conference men's basketball action Thursday evening at the
Warren G. Hill Gymnasium.
With the victory, Southern Maine improved its record to 3-2 on the season,
while the University of New England fell to 0-5 for the year.
The Huskies pushed their lead to 40-26 with an 8-0 run over the final four
minutes of the first half. Thibodeau, making his first collegiate start, hit a
pair of three-pointers during that run on the way to 11 first half points.
St. Pierre scored ten points during the first six minutes of the second
half as USM steadily pulled away to a 54-37 lead with 14:10 remaining. The
Huskies biggest margin of the game was 79-61 on a pair of free throws by senior
guard Corey Zimmerman (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) with 42 seconds left.
St. Pierre tied Nor'easters' junior Ricky Sirois (Saco, Maine) for game
high-scoring honors with 21 points. Thibodeau and Zimmerman each finished with
15 points for Southern Maine. Thibodeau made four-of-five three-point attempts
while Zimmerman passed out a game-high six assists.
The Huskies hit 11-of-25 (44 percent) from beyond the three-point stripe
for the game while the Nor'easters struggled, hitting just 5-of-18 (28 percent).
Sophomore Matt Tarbox (Standish, Maine) led the Huskies with ten rebounds
and Thibodeau pulled down six caroms. UNE junior Aaron Beaulieu (Hampden,
Maine) grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds while Sirois snared 10 boards. UNE out-
rebounded USM 44-34 overall.
Freshman Jeff White (Etna, Maine) also scored in double figures for the
Huskies with 10 points. Nor'easters' freshman Nyaten Gaye (Providence, RI) came
off the bench to contribute 11 points.
Southern Maine opens its Little East Conference schedule this Saturday
(December 2) hosting Keene State College at 3:00 p.m. in its next action. UNE
next plays Wednesday (December 6) at St. Joseph's College in Standish at 7:30
p.m.
********************************************************************************
Tuesday, November 28, 2000
Polar Bears Use Big Second Half to Pull Away From Huskies
BRUNSWICK, Maine -- Sophomore forward Jon Farmer (Palm Beach Gardens,
Fla.) came off the bench to score 12 points and grab 10 rebounds as the Bowdoin
College Polar Bears came alive in the second half to pull away for a 70-45
victory over the University of Southern Maine Huskies in a non-conference game
at Morrell Gymnasium Tuesday night.
The win was the third straight for the 3-1 Polar Bears. Southern Maine
fell to .500 at 2-2. Bowdoin hosts Maine Maritime Academy on Saturday while USM
hosts the University of New England Thursday evening.
The Polar Bears shot a red-hot 55 percent after the intermission to bust
open a seven-point game (29-22). Bowdoin used a 12-4 run to open the second
half to push the lead into double figures for good. Senior Stephen McKinnon
(Pawtucket, R.I.) and sophomore Braden Clement (Skowhegan, Maine) ignited the
surge.
A pair of three-point shots by senior Wade Millett (East Waterboro, Maine)
and freshman Jason Thibodeau (Old Town, Maine) within a span of 29 seconds
pulled the Huskies back within 10 (45-35) with 12:25 to play, but McKinnon
scored five unanswered points to push the lead back up to 15. The Huskies went
stone cold from the floor making just four shots over the final 11 minutes and
never threaten the Polar Bears.
Southern Maine got out of the gate fast taking a 9-2 lead in the first
five minutes of play, and still led 17-13 after senior Corey Zimmerman (Cape
Elizabeth, Maine) buried a pair of free throws with 7:29 left in the half.
Bowdoin took its first lead since the first minute of play when junior
Mark Gilbride (Topsham, Maine) hit a three-point field goal with 5:44 left in
the half. The Polar Bears outscored the Huskies, 16-5, over the final seven-
and-a-half minutes to erase the Huskies' lead and went into the locker room
leading 29-22.
McKinnon paced four Bowdoin players in double figures finishing with 14
points. Farmer was 5-for-5 from the floor, including a three-point shot, coming
off the bench. Gilbride and Clement each contributed 10 points.
Sophomore Elliott Blackstone (Bangor, Maine) was the lone USM player in
double figures with 10 points. The Huskies shot just 36 percent from the floor
during the game.
********************************************************************************
Tuesday, November 21, 2000
Zimmerman Free Throws Help Huskies Hold-Off Terriers
GORHAM, Maine -- Senior guard Corey Zimmerman (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) hit
both ends of a one-and-one with 19 seconds left in regulation to secure a 71-68
victory for the University of Southern Maine Huskies over the Thomas College
Terriers in non-conference men's basketball action Tuesday evening at the Warren
G. Hill Gymnasium.
Zimmerman's free throws capped a furious final 32 seconds after the
Terriers battled back from 14-point deficit to pull within one twice, the last
time at 69-68. Terriers' senior forward Scott Raymond (Caribou, Maine) had two
three-point attempts in the final five seconds, but couldn't get the ball to
drop.
USM freshman Jeff White's (Etna, Maine) three-point bomb from the corner
put the Huskies up four (69-65) with 32 seconds left, but Raymond nailed a
three-pointer of his own ten seconds later to bring Thomas within one (69-68)
and set the stage for Zimmerman's pressure free throws.
Southern Maine lead 49-35 with 16:04 to go and 59-45 at the 9:35 mark, but
the Terriers refused to roll over keyed by the shooting of freshman James
Cardaci (Lowell, Mass.) who scored seven of his team-high 16 points down the
stretch to go with along six from Raymond.
USM junior Jason St. Pierre (Bangor, Maine) led all scorers with 18
points on 7-of-11 shooting, including four-of-six from beyond the three-point
stripe. White tossed in 14 points while sophomore Matt Tarbox (Standish, Maine)
added ten points and tied Raymond for game-high rebounding honors with eight.
Thomas had five players in double figures lead by Cardaci's 16. Seniors
Matt Pitcher (Newport, Maine) and Josh Grant (Newport, Maine) scored 13 and 12,
respectively. Raymond and senior Troy Dunphe (Westbrook, Maine) each netted ten
points.
Southern Maine (2-1) will next play Tuesday (November 28) at Bowdoin
College. Game time is 5:30 p.m. Thomas (0-3) travels to the University of
Maine at Machias for a 7:00 p.m. contest on Monday (November 27) in their next
action.
********************************************************************************
THE MAINE EVENT
At Husson College, Bangor, Maine
November 17-18, 2000
Friday, November 17
Game One Southern Maine 78 St. Joseph's (Me.) 70
Game Two Colby 81 Husson 75
Saturday, November 18
Game Three Husson 93 St. Joseph's 76
Game Four Colby 65 Southern Maine 48
Saturday, November 18, 2000
State of Maine Tip-Off Tournament Championship Game
Clark Leads White Mules Past Huskies in Title Game
BANGOR, Maine -- Senior Sam Clark (Woolwich, Maine) pumped in 27 points
and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead the Colby College White Mules to a 65-48 triumph
over the University of Southern Maine Huskies in the championship game of the
State of Maine Tip-Off Tournament Saturday evening at the Newman Gymnasium on
the campus of Husson College in Bangor.
Clark, the only White Mules' player to reach double figures, hit nine of
twelve field goals, including one three-pointer, and eight of twelve free
throws, while adding four assists, four steals and three blocks in 36 minutes of
action, to garner the tournament's Most Valuable Player Award. Senior teammate
Jake Civiello (Bangor, Maine) also was named to the all-tournament team. He had
six points and six assists in the title game.
Southern Maine senior captains Wade Millett (East Waterboro, Maine) and
Corey Zimmerman (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) also were selected to the all-tournament
team. Millet was the only Husky to reach double digits, tallying 14 points.
Junior captain Casey Hamlin (Milo, Maine) tossed in nine points off the
bench for the Huskies. Freshman Jeff White (Etna, Maine) hauled down seven
rebounds for USM, which again played without injured 6-foot-8 center sophomore
Ryan Thomas (Hampden, Maine).
Colby and Southern Maine battled evenly in the first half with the White
Mules taking a 25-20 halftime lead. The Huskies went ice-cold in the second
half hitting just 33 percent (8 for 24) from the floor while Colby shot a
blistering 59 percent (13 for 22). The White Mules outscored the Huskies 17-9
from the free throw line for the game and held a 33-26 advantage in rebounding,
the majority snared by the dominant 6-foot-6 Clark.
The host Husson College Braves (1-1) placed five men in double figures to
down the Saint Joseph's College Monks (0-2), 93-76, in the consolation game.
Randy Fletcher and Quinson Lancaster (Fairfield, Maine) each poured in 20 points
to pace the Braves. Ryan Rivera netted 13 while Matt Breen (Rockland, Maine)
and sophomore Robert Pilsbury (Portland, Maine) each scored 12 points. Breen
was tabbed for the all-tournament team.
Saint Joseph's sophomore Travis Seaver (North Yarmouth, Maine) was Monks'
representative on the all-tournament team, scoring 12 points. Sophomore C.J.
Vose (Yarmouth, Maine) led the Monks with 17 points and seven rebounds. Fellow
sophomores Leroy Gore (Miami, Fla.) and Justin Underwood (Benton, Maine) each
netted 11 points.
Southern Maine (1-1) play Tuesday (November 21) at 7:00 p.m., hosting the
Terriers of Thomas College in its home opener at 7:00p.m. Colby (2-0) travels
to Colby-Sawyer College for a 7:00 p.m. tilt Tuesday in its next action.
********************************************************************************
Friday, November 17, 2000
State of Maine Tip-Off Tournament First Round
Balanced Huskies Down Monks
BANGOR, Maine -- Junior Jason St. Pierre (Bangor, Maine) scored 13
points to lead a balanced attack as the University of Southern Maine Huskies
downed the Saint Joseph's College Monks 78-70 in the opening round of the State
of Maine Tip-Off Tournament Friday evening at the Newman Gymnasium on the campus
of Husson College in Bangor.
Freshman Jeff White (Etna, Maine) popped in 12 points in his first
collegiate game while sophomore Matt Tarbox (Standish, Maine) tallied 10 points.
Senior captains Corey Zimmerman (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) and Wade Millett (East
Waterboro) each chipped in nine points for the Huskies. Sophomore Elliot
Blackstone (Bangor, Maine) added seven points.
Ten of the eleven players who saw action for Southern Maine scored as the
Huskies broke out to a 44-33 halftime lead. St. Joseph's cut the lead to 61-57
late in the second half but Zimmerman found St. Pierre underneath for a key
bucket to half the run and Southern Maine held off the Monks down the stretch.
The victory was the first for Southern Maine over St. Joseph's since
February 8, 1995, when the Huskies defeated the Monks, 77-64, at the Portland
Exposition Building. St. Joseph's had beaten the Huskies six straight times in
the interim.
Sophomores Leroy Gore (Miami, Fla.) and Travis Seaver (North Yarmouth,
Maine) paced the Monks' attack with 16 and 11 points.
The Colby College Mules defeated the host Husson College Braves 81-75 in
the other first round game. Senior Sam Clark (Woolwich, Maine) topped four
Mules in double digits with 20 points while Braves' sophomore guard Robert
Pilsbury (Portland, Maine) led all scorers with 25 points.
Southern Maine (1-0) will face Colby (1-0) in the championship game at
8:00 p.m. Saturday. St. Joseph's (0-1) takes on Husson (0-1) in the consolation
round at 6:00 p.m.
********************************************************************************
Tuesday, November 7, 2000
Men's Basketball Captains Named at USM
Huskies Open 2000-2001 Season Nov. 17-18 at The Maine Event
GORHAM, Maine -- Seniors Wade Millett (East Waterboro, Maine) and Corey
Zimmerman (Cape Elizabeth, Maine), along with junior Casey Hamlin (Milo, Maine),
have been named captains of the University of Southern Maine men's basketball
team for the upcoming 2000-2001 season.
Fifth-year head coach Dan Costigan made the announcement following a vote
by the players. This is Millett's second tour of duty sharing the captain's
responsibilities. This is the first time that Zimmerman or Hamlin has served a
captain.
Southern Maine opens its season November 17-18 playing in The Maine Event
tournament in Bangor, Maine, at Husson College. USM will battle local arch-
rival St. Joseph's College in the first round on Friday (Nov. 17) at 6:00 p.m.
followed by Colby College playing the host school at 8:00 p.m. The two winners
will play for the championship on Saturday evening at 8:00 p.m. Friday night's
two losing teams will play in the third place game at 6:00 p.m.
"I'm very pleased with our captains for the upcoming season," commented
Costigan, who guided the Huskies to a 13-13 overall record last season and a
spot in the Little East Conference championship game.
"They've done a great job in the preseason with our strength and
conditioning program. It's good to have three captains because each brings
something different to the table, and they all lead in their own way.
"Wade brings incredible intensity to the mix and is a very vocal leader.
Corey is the thinking man's leader on the court. He's the quiet leader who
leads by his actions on the court. And Casey is a tremendous role model for all
our players, both on and off the court," added Costigan.
Millett, one of the top three-point field goal shooters in the Little East
Conference last year, averaged 8.7 points and 2,1 rebounds in 16 games. He hit
on 35 percent of his three-point tries (32 for 91) last season.
Zimmerman, a two-year starter for the Huskies since transferring from
Brandeis University, received a fifth year of eligibility on a medical hardship
waiver for his sophomore year at Brandeis. The 5-foot 8 points guard was the
team's third leading scorer last winter, averaging 9.3 points per game. He led
the Huskies with 99 assists, and shot .804 from the foul line (78 for 97).
Hamlin, in his third season, scored 21 points and passed out seven assists
while seeing action in 20 games.
The remainder of the Huskies' 2000-2001 schedule is as follows: Nov. 21,
Thomas (7:00); Nov. 28, at Bowdoin (5:30); Nov. 30, University of New England
(7:30); Dec. 2, Keene State (3:00); Dec. 6, at Colby (7:30); Dec. 9, UMass
Dartmouth (3:00); and Dec. 29-20 at the Land of Magic Class hosted by Embry
Riddle University,
Also, Jan. 6, at Eastern Connecticut (3:00); Jan. 9, at Rhode Island
College (7:30); Jan. 11, at Bates (7:30); Jan.13, Western Connecticut (3:00);
Jan. 16, at UMass Boston (7:30); Jan. 20, at Keene State (3:00); Jan. 23,
Plymouth State (7:30); Jan. 27, at UMass Dartmouth (3:00); and Jan. 31, St.
Joseph's College (7:30).
The final month of the season includes games on Feb. 3, Eastern
Connecticut (3:00); Feb. 6, UMass Boston (7:30); Feb. 10, Rhode Island College
(3:00); Feb. 13, at Plymouth State (7:30); and Feb. 17, at Western Connecticut
(3:00).
The Little East Conference tournament, which will involve only the top six
teams, will have two first round game on February 20. The semifinals and finals
will be held at the site of the regular season champion on February 23-24. The
winner of the tournament will receive an automatic berth into the 2001 NCAA
Division III Men's Basketball Championship Tournament.
********************************************************************************
|