Box Score GORHAM, Maine – Junior Phil Starks (Hartford, Conn./Prince Tech) and senior Russell Payton (Stratford, Conn.) each scored 18 points to lead the Western Connecticut State University Colonials to an 85-57 Little East Conference win over the University of Southern Maine Huskies Saturday afternoon at Hill Gymnasium.
With the win, WestConn improves to 12-5 overall and 4-3 in the Little East Conference. Southern Maine falls to 3-14 and 0-7 in the Little East.
Starks and Payton were two of four Colonials to reach double-digits in scoring. Junior Jeremiah Washington (Bridgeport, Conn./Central) and Luis Briddter (Stamford, Conn./Stamford) added 11 and 10 points respectively. Bridtter completed the double-double with a game-high 10 rebounds.
Junior Cole Libby (Buxton, Maine/Bonny Eagle) led the Huskies with 13 points. Junior Jacob Littlefield (Mechanic Falls, Maine/Poland Regional) added 10 points and a team-high nine rebounds. Junior Alex Fraser (Portland, Maine/Cheverus) and sophomore Fred Knight (Hampden, Maine/Hampden Academy) had eight and nine points each.
WestConn was 53.3 percent (16-for-30) from the field in the opening half, including a 7-for-14 performance from three-point range, to open up a commanding 43-27 lead at the break. Payton and Washington each had nine points for the Colonials.
In the second half, Southern Maine was able to trim its deficit to 16 points, 45-29, early on, but was quickly countered by a 9-0 Colonial run. Washington's layup with 16:16 to play made it a 54-29 game and the Colonials cruised to the win.
Southern Maine returns to action at UMass Boston on Tuesday (7:30 p.m.).
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