The Owls men’s basketball team falls to 0-3 on the year after a late game comeback fell short with a last minute basket by the Huskies. The Southern Maine Huskies advance to 4-1 with the 72-70 win over the Owls.
The team battled back and forth in the first ten minutes of the game, as they found themselves tied 16 each with 10:30 to go in the half. Continuing the battle back, and the teams still tied at the five minute mark, USM would finish the half with a run to put them up nine points going into the half. The first five minute of the second half was all Huskies, extending their lead to 18 points. A couple of points by the Owls would start the Owls slow comeback. UMPI chipped away at this double digit lead, starting with their defense, allowing them to get out and running on the offensive end. Back to back jumpers for senior captain Griffin Guerrette brought the Owls within three at the seven minute mark. Immediately following was a layup and steal by Dany Harris, leading to a KJ Minter basket to give the Owls their first lead of the second half.
Later, the game tied 66 each with two minutes to go, Minter hits another layup to bring the Owls up one. Another defensive stop by UMPI followed with two made free throws by Gilbert Jean Mendez to bring the Owls up four. Although the Huskies answered with back to back layups to bring the game even again with 41 seconds left. A late game turnover followed by a floater in the lane by USM with five seconds left sealed the win for USM.
Harris would finish the game with 20 points on 9-15 shooting while grabbing seven rebounds and earning four assists and three steals. Guerrette finished with 15 points on the game, while fellow captain Minter finished with eight points on 4-5 shooting and seven rebounds.
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