GORHAM, Maine  –  Junior Meikyle Murray (Bronx, N.Y./Amherst Regional) scored a game-high 18 points to lead three players in double-figures as the Eastern Connecticut State University Warriors earned a 73-65 win over the University of Southern Maine Huskies in a Little East Conference men's basketball game Monday night at Hill Gymnasium. 
 
The Records: 
Southern Maine (9-14, 4-10 Little East)
Eastern Connecticut (16-7, 11-4 Little East)
 
Series History:  Tonight's game marked the 85th meeting between the two schools.  The Warriors now lead the series 55-30, and have the 2021-22 season sweep. 
 
Standout Huskies: Junior Marcus Christopher (Skowhegan, Maine) 13 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals; junior Cody Hawes (Carmel, Maine/Hermon) 13 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals; senior Jason Lombard (Anchorage, Alaska/Chugiak) 8 points; 4 rebounds.
 
Standout Warriors: Junior  Meikyle Murray  (Bronx, N.Y./Amherst Regional) 18 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals,1 block; junior Jalen Williams (Simsbury, Conn.) 17 points; junior Rakesh Tibby (East Hartford, Conn./The Master's School) 13 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks; senior Thomas Close (East Hampton, Conn.) 9 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists.
 
How It Happened: 

• Marginally trailing the Huskies 36-35 at the half, Eastern Connecticut scored the first 12 points of the second half to assume a 47-36 advantage with 16:42 to play.  Tibby scored seven of the Warriors 12 points in the pivotal run which was capped by a three from Close.
• After the Warriors run, Southern Maine rallied outscoring ECSU 16-7 over the next 6:42 of action to make it a one possession game, 54-52, with 10:00 to play.  Seven different players scored for the Huskies during that span, including threes from freshman Juneau Anicette (Orlando, Fla./Dr. Phillips) and sophomore Clay Kuhn (Orlando, Fla./Winter Park).  
• Both teams exchanged baskets over their next few possessions, and the Huskies' trailed by three, 59-56, with 6:40 to go on a driving layup from Kuhn, but the Warriors responded with a 10-0 run to seal the win and lead 69-57 with 1:09 to go.  Williams had five of his 17 in the run for ECSU.
• The Huskies closed the gap to eight and seven points in the final minute, but the Warriors converted enough from the free throw line for the 73-65 final. 

 
Inside the Stats: 

• ECSU shot 51.9 percent (28-for-54) from the field for the game and were 54.5 percent (12-for-22) in the second half, outscoring USM 38-29 in the second frame.
• Southern Maine shot 48.1 percent (26-for-54) from the field. The Huskies were an outstanding 62.5 percent (15-for-24) from the field in the first half.  Christopher had 10 of his 13 in the first half for the Huskies, shooting 4-for-5 from the field.

 
Up Next: 
Southern Maine remains in Little East Conference and hosts UMass Boston on Wednesday
 (7:30 pm).
 
 Southern Maine Athletics has gone to fully digital game programs, please click this link to access the game programs to future Husky home events!