Box Score NASHUA, N.H. – Five different players scored in double figures as the University of Southern Maine Huskies used a 54-point second half to defeat the Colby-Sawyer College Chargers 98-89 in the second game of the 23rd Annual Rivier University Men's Basketball Tip-Off Tournament Friday night at Muldoon Gymnasium.
With the win, Southern Maine improves to 2-1 overall. The loss snaps a three-game win-streak for Colby-Sawyer dropping its record to 3-1.
Senior Jose Novchanthavong (Westbrook, Maine) scored a team-high 21 points to lead a balanced scoring effort from the Huskies who shot an outstanding 64.3 percent (36-for-56) from the field for the game. Senior Cole Libby (Buxton, Maine/Bonny Eagle) added 18 points and five rebounds, while junior Atencio Martin (Kittery, Maine/Traip Academy) tossed in 14 points. Junior Zach Leal (York, Maine) added 13 points and senior Aaron Toman (Gardiner, Maine) chipped in 11 points on 5-for-5 shooting in a strong effort off of the bench.
The Chargers were led by senior Peter Donato's (Portland, Maine) game-high 29 points. Donato was 11-for-24 from the field to lead four players in double figures for Colby-Sawyer. Senior Wol Majon (Manchester, N.H./New Hope Academy Md.) added 17 points and six assists, and senior Jake Maynard (Shelburne, Vt./Rice Memorial) tossed in 13 points and 10 rebounds for a double-doubles. Sophomore Taylor Grande (Bedford, N.H.) chipped in with 10 points.
Opening the game with a 21-6 run, Southern Maine led the Chargers at the 44-37 at the half and remained in front of Colby-Sawyer for a majority of the game. However, Colby-Sawyer pulled even with the Huskies with 8:38 to play as Majon drained a three to cap a 14-2 run for a 67-67 tied score.
Though the Huskies never trailed, the game remained closely contested and was tied at 85 with 3:31 to play after the Chargers' Donato knocked down a jumper on an assist from Majong. With the Chargers threatening to complete the rally, Southern Maine responded with an 11-2 run to close out the game. After Donato's jumper, USM's Libby and Novchanthavong hit back-to-back jumpers before Colby-Sawyer's Majong knocked down a jumper of his own for an 89-87 USM lead with 1:54 on the clock. USM ran off the next seven points consecutively led by a three from Leal to grab an insurmountable 96-87 with 34 seconds to play.
Southern Maine returns to action on Saturday (2:00 p.m.) in the championship game of the Rivier University Tip-Off Tournament. The Huskies will face Pine Manor College. The Gators of Pine Manor defeated Rivier 77-70.
-cac-