Statistics

GORHAM, Maine -- A pair of 12-0 runs during the 1st half gave the University of Southern Maine enough separation to fend off the Univesity of New England in an 87-73 men's basketball decision to kick off the new season at Hill Gymnasium on Wednesday night (Nov. 8).

The Huskies got 23 points out of Tommy Whelan and another 20 from Chance Dixon. Joe Longoria contributed 16 points and eight boards, while Brady Saunders tacked on 12 points with four steals. USM held a nine-point scoring edge from behind the arc (30-21), and also at the charity stripe (15-6).

For the Nor'easters, junior transfer Adam Lux registered 20 points and a game-best nine rebounds. Adrian Torres chipped in with 14 points, and Zach Boulay added 10 points with eight caroms. Kha Cao Ra James supplied 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting off the bench.

Leading 14-13, Longoria had five points in the first spurt of 12 unanswered that occurred in less than two and a half minutes. It was 32-22 before the next string of 12 in-a-row, of which Whelan recorded six. The hosts shot 51.6 percent (16-for-31) in the opening period -- 15 percentage point higher than UNE -- and took a 46-28 advantage at the break.

Torres, who notched all but two of his points in the 2nd, struck for seven in a span of 63 seconds right out of halftime to keep the visitors within reach. The margin was reduced to nine on two occasions (53-44, 61-52).

Lux posted 12 consecutive points on the UNE side of things to make it 66-56, however 14 of the ensuing 17 points went for the hosts to increase the gap to 80-59 with six minutes and change left to play.

The Nor'easters return home for the 11th edition of the Jim Beaudry Classic this weekend at the Harold Alfond Forum. Joining the event this year will be Medgar Evers College (N.Y.), Eastern Connecticut State University, and Wheaton College (Mass.). Saturday's matches will tip at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., while Sunday's consolation and championship games will be at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.