WILLAMANTIC, Conn.   –  Jake Collagan knocked down five three-pointers en route to a team 24 points to lead four players in double-figures as the Eastern Connecticut State Univerrsity Warriors defeated the University of Southern Maine Huskies 94-66 in a Little East Conference men's basketball game Saturday afternoon at Geissler Arena.  

         With the win, Eastern Connecticut improves to 10-12 overall and 6-7 in the Little East.  Southern Maine falls to 9-12 and 4-9 in the LEC. 

         Collagan was 8-for-13 from the field and 5-for-9 from three for the Warriors, adding a game-high eight assists.  Cory Muckle had a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Thomas Close was 5-for-6 (3-for-3 from three) for 16 points, adding six assists, two steals and three rebounds. Jake McCarthy added 11 points and six boards, while Seth Thomas snagged a game-high 15 rebounds to go along with nine points. 

         USM sophomore Jacobe Thomas (Houston, Texas/Davis) matched Collagan for game-high scoring honors with 24 points and a team-high nine rebounds.  Junior Derek Haney (Auburn, Calif./Placer) added 16 points as the only other Husky in double figures. Senior Jaire Roberts added seven points, five rebounds, and four steals.  

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

•  Close and Collagan combined for 25 first half points as the Warriors shot a red-hot 62.1 percent (18-for-29) from the field to snag a 48-28 lead before the break.  Close was 4-for-4 from the field and 3-for-3 from the free throw line for 13 points, while Collagan went 5-for-5 for 12 points, and dished out five first-half assists to pace the Warriors. 
• Shooting 29.7 percent (11-for-37) in the opening half, the Huskies struggled to keep pace with the Warriors.  Thomas led USM with 14 of his 24 points in the first half.  
• USM improved in the second half shooting 38.2 percent (13-for-34), including a quartet of threes. Haney was 2-for-4 from distance in the second half for the Huskies, scoring nine of his 16 in the second frame. 
• ECSU outscored USM 46-38 in the second half and the Huskies were unable to get closer than 17 points for the 94-66 final. 

UP NEXT: 

         Southern Maine remains in Little East Conference action and will host Plymouth State on Wednesday (7:30 pm).

–cac–