Statistics

GORHAM, Maine -- For the second time in as many days, Trevor Ward lifted the University of Southern Maine to a win with a last-second field goal, this time putting back an offensive rebound with 0.8 seconds on the clock as the Huskies defeated the University of New England, 62-60, in men's basketball action Sunday afternoon (Feb. 21) at Hill Gymnasium.

Avery DeBrito had tied things up for UNE with 1:08 left, and a subsequent steal gave the visitors a look at the lead. A missed jumper was collected by USM with left 13 seconds, and while Keenan Hendricks' driving layup attempt was too strong, but Ward was right there for the deciding hoop.

Hendricks topped the Huskies (2-0) with 17 points -- behind five 3-pointers -- and grabbed 10 rebounds. Derek Haney notched 13 of his 15 points in the 2nd period, and had nine boards. Ward and Marcus Christopher each tallied 12 points; Christopher also amassed 21 rebounds, which powered USM to a 56-38 margin in the category.

Southern Maine had 12 turnovers in the closing session -- while UNE lost possession just four times in the whole contest -- but did just enough on the offensive glass (11) to keep plays alive for second-chance points.

Alex Kravchuk totaled a game-best 21 points for the Nor'easters (0-2), and Jordan Bagshaw contributed 13. Nine apiece came from Blake Smith and Ric Castillo (all 1st half). Bagshaw and Ryan Lin shared the team-high of seven caroms.

UNE held a slim 29-27 edge at the break, and eventually used a 9-2 stretch (5 from Bagshaw) to take a 46-37 cushion just before the midway point of the 2nd half. A three-point play from Bagshaw restored that spread (49-40) with 7:50 to go, but triples by Haney (2) and Hendricks, in between jumpers from Jason Lombard, swung favor to the Huskies (53-52) with under five minutes remaining.

Kravchuk registered the next four, but Ward's only other bucket of the frame and a pair of freebies by Christopher answered right back (57-56). Kravchuk shifted the Nor'easters in front, once again, at the 1:38 mark, but Hendricks countered with another trey (60-58) before DeBrito leveled the score.

UNE is slated to be back in action Saturday (5 p.m.) against the University of Maine-Augusta.