Box Score

GORHAM, Maine -- The University of Southern Maine Huskies opened the second half with a 19-2 run to erase a two-point halftime deficit on their way to a 73-57 men's basketball victory over the University of New England Wednesday (Jan. 2) evening at Warren G. Hill Gymnasium.

The victory gets Southern Maine over the .500 mark at 6-5 on the season, while the Nor'easters fall to 1-8.

Alex Kee scored a game-high 22 points to pave the way for the Huskies. James Odneal had 16 points on 6-for-9 shooting, while Connor Sullivan chipped in 13 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

Charles Fenner III had a team-high 18 points for UNE. Devin Thompson scored 14 points and grabbed seven caroms, while Jesse Dykstra and Joshua Butler each registered double-doubles. Dykstra went for 11 points and a game-best 14 boards, and Butler recorded 11 points and 12 rebounds in his first game in a Big Blue uniform.

Trailing 38-36 at the break, the trio of Kee, Odneal and Sullivan came up with all of USM's points in the Huskies' 19-2 surge, which was capped by a Kee lay-in with 11:55 on the clock to give the hosts a 55-40 advantage.

The Nor'easters would chip away, getting the deficit to single digits (62-53) on a Butler bucket with 5:04 left, but Sullivan and Kee combined for six straight points to help USM salt away the win.

Southern Maine turned the ball over just nine times and made 81.8 percent (18 of 22) of its free throw attempts to overcome a 46-37 shortfall on the glass.

Both teams return to action Saturday (Jan.5). USM travels to Keene State College, while the Nor'easters return to Commonwealth Coast Conference action when they host Roger Williams University at 3 p.m.