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            GORHAM, Maine -- Senior guard Corteze Isaac (Germantown, Md./Northwest) scored a team-high 19 points to lead four players in double figures as the University of Southern Maine edged the Bates College Bobcats, 76-72, in a non-conference men's basketball game Tuesday night at Alumni Gym.

            The win was the fourth straight for the Huskies who improve 4-0 on the season. The Huskies are off to their best start since 1998-99 when they won six straight to open the season.  The win also marked USM's first victory over Bates since November 17, 2007.  The loss was the first for the Bobcats this season after two victories.

            Isaac, who shot 8 of 19 from the floor, including three three-pointers, also had five rebounds, four assists and four steals to pace the Huskies.  Junior forward Sean Bergeron (Kennebunk, Maine) added 16 points, five rebounds and four steals.  Senior forward Otis Smith (Altamonte Springs, Fla./Ocoee) and junior guard Chris Pagentine (Lexington, N.C./North Davidson) scored 13 and 12 points, respectively, and each grabbed five rebounds.

            Bates senior forward Brian Ellis (Braintree, Mass.) scored a career-high 33 points for the Bobcats, connecting on 12-of-16 from the field, including a 2-for-3 effort from three-point range, and 7-for-7 at the foul line.  Senior forward Nick Schmiemann (Weymouth, Mass./BC High) added 14 points and senior forward Alex Gallant (Bangor, Maine) grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds. 

            In a closely contest game throughout, Ellis knotted the game (58-58) for the eighth time with a layup with 6:10 to play.  The Huskies quickly responded with six unanswered points on a layup and 1-of-2 free throws from Smith and a three-pointer from Isaac to regain the lead, 64-58, with 3:47 to play.

            Bates countered with five straight points, including a three from Schmiemann, to pull to within one, 64-63, with 2:49 to play.  Again USM pushed back scoring seven straight points, including four by Pagentine, to lead 71-63 with 1:08 on the clock.  Three free throws by Schiemann with nine seconds to go got the Bobcats back within three, 75-72, but Pagentine sealed the victory with a free throw with two seconds remaining.

            The Huskies committed just 10 turnovers and forced the Bobcats into 23 miscues, resulting in 23 of their 76 points.  The Huskies shot a solid 45.6 percent (31-for-68) from the field, and their 13 offensive rebounds produced 13 second-chance points.

            Southern Maine hosts St. Joseph's College (Maine) on Sunday (7:30 p.m.).  Bates College travels to Thomas College on Tuesday (7:00 p.m.).

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