The win is the third straight for Southern Maine and improves its record to 3-0.  Bates falls to 2-1 with the loss.

         Despite leading the Bobcats by as many as 13 points in the second half, Southern Maine found itself clinging to a 66-64 lead with 1:25 remaining following a jumper from Bates freshman Mike Boornazian (Portland, Conn./Xavier). After missed shots for both teams, Kee cleared the defensive boards with 27 seconds remaining to give the Huskies' the ball.  Forced to foul, Bates quickly racked up enough personal fouls sending Kee to the line with 21 seconds remaining.  Kee sank both free throws despite a Bates timeout in between each to give USM a 68-64 lead. 

         Bates again pulled to within a basket, 68-66, of the Huskies on its next possession as sophomore Graham Safford (Hampden, Maine) finished in the paint. Bates again sent Kee to the line, this time with 13 seconds to play and Kee again regained the Huskies' a two-possession advantage with a pair of free throws.  Bates misfired on its next possession and Husky senior Mike Poulin (Readfield, Maine/Maranacook) grabbed a defensive board and then sank one of two free throws to seal the win. 

         Kee finished with a game-high 21 points on 7-for-14 shooting to lead four Huskies in double figures.  He added eight rebounds and four assists.  Junior forward James Odneal (Pontiac, Mich./Bottineau) tossed in 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, while junior guard Conor Sullivan (Scarborough, Maine) added 13 points, seven rebounds and four assists.  Poulin finished with 11 points and three assists.

         Senior Ed Bogdanovich (Portland, Maine) led Bates with 17 points and 10 rebounds.  Bogdanovich was an outstanding 7-for-12 from the field.  Senior Mark Brust (Duxbury, Mass.) was the only other Bobcat in double figures with 10 points.

         Southern Maine hosts St. Joseph's College (Maine) on Sunday (4:00 p.m.) in its home-opener.  Bates hosts Rhode Island College on Sunday (7:00 p.m.).

–cac–