Box Score DANBURY, Conn. – Sophomore Bobby Bynum (New Haven, Conn./Hillhouse) scored 19 points to lead five players in double-figures as the Western Connecticut State University Colonials defeated the University of Southern Maine Huskies 81-65 in a Little East Conference men's basketball game Saturday night at Feldman Arena.
With the win, Western Connecticut remains undefeated at 5-0 and opens its Little East Conference schedule at 1-0. Southern Maine falls to 2-4 with the loss and 0-1 in the conference.
Bynum was 7-for-10 from the field for his game-high total. Senior Tony Seldon (Bloomfield, Conn./Northwest Catholic) added 15 points on 6-for-7 shooting, while senior Luis Bridtter (Stamford, Conn.) and junior Jeremiah Washington (Bridgeport, Conn./Central) each scored 14 points. Sophomore Tre'Von Perry (Waterbury, Conn./Holy Cross) chipped in with 12 points as the Colonials shot 49.2 percent (30-for-61) from the field as a team.
Four players scored in double-digits for the Huskies led by 12 points from sophomore Zach Leal (York, Maine). Leal was 4-for-7 from the field adding four rebounds and three assists. Junior Cole Libby (Buxton, Maine/Bonny Eagle) added 11 points and a game-high nine rebounds. Sophomore Fred Knight (Hampden, Maine/Hampden Academy) and junior Jalen Lincoln (Nobleboro, Maine/Lincoln Academy) each tossed in 10 points.
Holding a narrow 37-34 lead at the break, Western Connecticut had to shake off a hard-working Huskies' squad in the second half. Down by a basket, 38-35, after pair of free throws from Leal, USM saw its disadvantage increase to 15 over the next five minutes to trail 52-37 with 13:46 to play. After Leal's free throws, Western Connecticut cobbled together a 14-2 run. Bynum and Washington each scored five points in the Colonials game-separating run.
USM responded and pulled to within seven of the Colonials using an 8-0 spurt on five poins from Libby and a traditional three-point play from Leal for a 52-45 deficit with 12:11 to go, but the Colonials pushed back with eight straight points of their own for a 60-45 lead. USM continued to battle but was unable to get any closer than 10 points the rest of the game
Southern Maine hosts UMaine Farmington on Tuesday (7:30 p.m.) in a non-conference game. Western Connecticut hosts Pine Manor on Monday (6:00 p.m.).
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