Statistics

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- The University of Southern Maine saw a double-digit lead nearly disappear in the final four minutes but managed to survive to net a 61-57 men's basketball result versus the University of New England on Coach's Beaudry's Court inside the Harold Alfond Forum on Tuesday night (Nov. 8).

The Nor'easters (0-1) trailed at 54-42 with 4:31 remaining, untilt a three-pointer from Winston Bryan at the 1:42 mark capped a 10-2 run that reduced the spread to four. But Clay Kuhn countered late in the ensuing shot clock for the Huskies with a triple of his own to put some padding back into the cushion (59-52).

However, the next five points, including four from Ray Evans, reduced the gap to just two (59-57). A steal by Adrian Torres gave UNE two looks at the lead in the final 27 seconds, but neither fell for the hosts.

Cody Hawes dropped in 14 points to pace USM, and 10 apiece came from Tommy Whelan and Diego Colon. Jason Lombard pulled down 11 rebounds. The team overcame 24 turnovers by shooting at a 44 percent clip (26-for-59).

Evans topped all scorers with 15 points, while Drake Gavin chipped in with 14 points and six rebounds. After Bryan's 11 points, Torres accounted for eight points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, and eight steals.

The Nor'easters were hampered by 21 percent field goal accuracy and 13 turnovers in the 1st half, though both areas did turn around substantially in the 2nd frame.

Neither side saw the ball go through the hoop for over six minutes at the beginning of the evening, but then Southern Maine gained the only lead of the contest. Two small spurts (6-0, 7-0) pushed the difference to 11 (18-7, 27-16) in the opening period.

The Huskies notched the first five of the 2nd to extend the lead to its peak (32-16), but soon a quick seven from UNE had things down to 39-35 with 12 minutes left. USM bounced back with 10 unanswered, though -- including six on a couple plays by Colon -- to assume a 49-35 margin before the chaos of the final moments.

The Nor'easters entertain Rivier University, Plymouth State University, and the University of Maine-Presque Isle on Friday and Saturday for the 10th playing of the Jim Beaudry Classic. UNE will play the Raiders (Friday, 5 p.m.) and Panthers (Saturday, 2 p.m.).