GORHAM, Maine –  Two University of Southern Maine Huskies' women's basketball legends Allison Gagnon Gray '95 and Katariina Pulkkinen-Hoaas '93 will be honored by the Huskies' Athletics Department for their induction into the Little East Conference Hall of Fame during a special halftime presentation during the women's basketball game on January 29 (1:00 pm). 
 
Already inducted into the Husky Hall of Fame, both Gagnon-Gray and Pulkkinen-Hoaas are two of the many former women's basketball players at the University of Southern Maine that helped create, establish and maintain one of the most successful programs in Division III women's basketball history.
 
A former two-time Little East Conference Player of the Year and two-time Women's Basketball Coaches' Association (WBCA) Honorable Mention All-American, Gagnon-Gray was selected for LEC Hall of Fame in 2020.  Pulkkinen-Hoaas, a three-time All-LEC center, was chosen for the LEC Hall of Fame in 2021. Since the creation of the LEC Hall of Fame in 2012, Huskies' women's basketball now has six former standouts on the roster.

"During their time at Southern Maine and playing on the court at Hill Gymnasium both Allison and Katarinna demonstrated their commitment to the team and its success," said Director of Athletics Al Bean.  "The two former standouts helped shape the identity of a USM student-athlete – one that is committed to personal and professional growth and academic excellence.  Their seasons at Southern Maine are marked by tremendous success, numerous trophies and individual accolades. We are so pleased to be able to welcome both Allison and Katariina back to Southern Maine to honor them and celebrate their latest achievements."
 
Considered one of the finest point guard to play for Southern Maine Gagnon-Gray played three seasons (1990-93) and led USM to an overall record of 74-15 with three LEC regular season titles, two LEC tournament championships, and three Division III Elite Eight appearances. Over the course of her career, Gagnon-Gray scored 1021 points and to this day owns every assist record in program history.  With 660 career assists, she set the school single-season record with 232 during the 1990-91 season. Gagnon-Gray earned her degree in Sociology in 1995, and was inducted into the Husky Hall of Fame in 2002.
 
A dominant force in the paint for the Huskies, Pulkkinen-Hoaas played three seasons (1989-1993), earning all-conference honors in each season.  The six-foot center helped the Huskies to a record of 99-20 during her career, capturing three LEC regular season and tournament championships.  USM qualified for the NCAA Division III National Championship tournament and advanced to the Elite Eight each of those seasons.  Pulkkinen-Hoaas finished her career with 1515 points and 757 rebounds.  To this date her 58.1 shooting percentage remains second-best in program history. Pulkkinen-Hoaas earned her degree from Southern Maine in 1993 and was inducted into the Husky Hall of Fame in 2002 alongside Gagnon-Gray.
 
"We're thrilled to have two of our many outstanding alumnae back at Hill Gym," said Head Coach Samantha Norris. "These women had outstanding careers with success on and off of the court and have left an indelible mark on the University of Southern Maine women's basketball program. Developing and preparing women for success beyond their years at Southern Maine is a priority within our program, and to be able to celebrate and recognize the achievements of these two remarkable alums is something that myself, the rest of the coaching staff and my team are looking forward to."
 
With more than 50 years of women's athletics at the University of Southern Maine, the women's basketball program was one of the first intercollegiate teams supported by the University.  Established during the 1967-68 academic year, Huskies' women's basketball has an overall record of 1043-361 (.743 winning percentage).  With 21 Little East Conference titles since the creation of the LEC in 1986, the Huskies have appeared in the NCAA Division III National Championship tournament 26 times since joining the NCAA in 1986.