GORHAM, Maine – Sophomore Kyler Bosse (Manchester, N.H./Bridgton Academy) had a game-high 26 points, including 10 points in the final five minutes of regulation, to lead the Plymouth State University Panthers to a 72-70 win over the University of Southern Maine Huskies Wednesday night at Hill Gym in Little East Conference men's basketball action.
Bosse was 10-for-18 from the floor for his game-high 26, and was 5-of-6 from the free throw line, including a perfect 4-for-4 in the final 20 seconds to pace three Panthers in double-figures.
The Records:
Plymouth State (13-9, 8-5 Little East)
Southern Maine (9-12, 4-8 Little East)
Series History: Tonight's game marked the 148
th meeting between the two schools. With tonight's win, PSU earning the 2021-22 season split. The Huskies earned a 73-68 win on the road at Plymouth State earlier in the season. Plymouth State leads the series 79-69.
Standout Huskies: Junior
Marcus Christopher (Skowhegan, Maine) 19 points, 5 rebounds; junior
Cody Hawes (Carmel, Maine/Hermon) 12 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists; senior
Jason Lombard (Anchorage, Alaska/Chugiak) 10 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists; sophomore
Chance Dixon (Lake Worth, Fla./Santaluces) 10 points, 2 assists.
Standout Panthers: Bosse 26 points, 6 rebounds; senior Manny Alisandro (Manchester, N.H./Manchester Memorial) 10 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists; senior Manny Sanchez (Lawrence, Mass./Central Catholic) 10 points, 4 rebounds.
How It Happened:
- With the score 59-58 in favor of the Huskies with 4:35 left to play following a layup from Christopher, PSU's Bosse scored four consecutive points on a jumper in the paint and a strong finish off of an assist from senior Dante Rivera (Lawrence, Mass.) to give the Panthers a 62-59 lead with just under four to go.
- Both teams exchanged points over the next few possessions and four points from Lombard on a layup and two free throws had the Huskies back to within one, 64-63, with 2:50 to play. .
- Rivera and Bosse countered for the Panthers with a 4-0 mini-run with Rivera hitting a jumper from the top of the key and Bosse connecting on a mid-range shot for a 68-63 lead with 1:16 on the clock.
- USM went on a 4-0 spurt of its own with sophomore Trevor Ward (West Park, Fla.) scored on a driving layup, and Lombard connected for two free throws. With Ward and Lombard's points, USM trailed 68-67 with 24 seconds to play. Forced to foul, USM put Bosse on the line and he hit for both and a 70-67 lead with 20 to play.
- Both teams missed the front end of a one-and-one situation, and USM had a look at a bucket but sophomore Kevin Henry (Stratham, N.H./Exeter) came up with a big block and Bosse secured the defensive board. Again send to the foul line, Bosse hit both and PSU led 72-67 before USM's Christopher hit a three as the buzzer sounded for the 72-70 final.
Inside the Stats:
- Led by Christopher, USM outscored PSU in the paint 36-18. The Panthers outscored USM 20-14 off of turnovers and had an 8-0 advantage in second chance points.
- Neither team sustained a lead larger than seven points for the game. USM led by seven, 26-19, at the 3:46 mark of the first half. PSU had its seven point lead, 35-28, at a 18:31 in the second half.
Up Next:
Southern Maine remains in Little East Conference and travels to Eastern Connecticut State on Saturday (3:00 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!
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