Story By Eleanor Folsom, Athletic Comms Intern


WILLAMANTIC, Conn.     - The University of Southern Maine men's basketball team dropped a hard-fought Little East Conference contest to Eastern Connecticut State University, 88–85, on Saturday afternoon in a tightly contested matchup that came down to the final seconds.
 
The Records:
Southern Maine (13-9, 8-5 Little East)
Eastern Connecticut (13-8, 5-7 Little East)
 
Today's game marked the 93rd meeting between the University of Southern Maine and the Eastern Connecticut State University Warriors. ECSU leads the overall series 57-36; however, Southern Maine entered the game having won the last four consecutively over ECSU. 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Eastern Connecticut opened the scoring with a basket from Drew Soltis, but Southern Maine quickly responded when senior Thomas Whelan (Bronx, N.Y. / Fordham Prep) knocked down a jumper one minute later. The Warriors controlled the early pace of the first half, maintaining a slim lead while the Huskies stayed within striking distance.

A layup from sophomore Evan Sterling (New Sharon, Maine / Mount Blue) tied the game at 18–18 with 11:33 remaining in the half. Two minutes later, Whelan drilled a three-pointer to give Southern Maine its first lead of the day. Senior Stephen Gabriel III (Brockton, Mass. / Bridgton Academy), sophomore Noah Dowling (North Narrabeen, Australia / Saint Augustine's), and Sterling helped the Huskies sustain the advantage, as Southern Maine carried a 42–39 lead into halftime.

Eastern Connecticut came out of the locker room with momentum, reclaiming the lead early in the second half on another basket from Soltis. The Warriors followed with a 6–0 run to push their advantage to eight points with 14:25 remaining.

Despite foul trouble affecting multiple ECSU players, the Warriors maintained their edge, placing five players in double figures. Southern Maine stayed within reach behind strong efforts from Sterling in the paint, free throws from Whelan, and contributions from freshman Carter Galley (Owls Head, Maine / Kents Hill–Oceanside).

The Huskies made a late push in the final two minutes, sparked by key defensive plays from freshman Gabe Lash (Waldoboro, Maine / Medomak Valley). Dowling connected on a three-pointer with 31 seconds remaining to cut the deficit to three. After ECSU converted two free throws, Dowling answered again from beyond the arc to pull Southern Maine within two points with 18 seconds left.

With 15 seconds remaining and the Huskies trailing by three, Eastern Connecticut's Dow came up with a critical steal, regaining possession for the Warriors. After a free throw extended the lead to four, Lash was fouled on a three-point attempt with 1.6 seconds left. Lash converted the first free throw but missed the second and intentionally missed the third in hopes of a final shot. Southern Maine secured the rebound but was unable to convert before time expired, as the Warriors held on for the 88–85 victory.
 
 
Inside The Statistics:

• Eastern Connecticut held advantages in points off turnovers, second-chance points, and bench scoring
• Noah Dowling finished 6-for-12 from three-point range, a season high in made three-pointers
• Thomas Whelan scored in double figures for the 21st time in 22 games this season
• Gabe Lash led Southern Maine with a season-high 11 rebounds

 
Up Next:
Southern Maine returns home to face Plymouth State on Wednesday, February 11 (7:30 pm) in LEC action. The Huskies are back on the road Saturday, February 14 (3:00 pm) at UMass Dartmouth. 
           
 
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