Box Score Bangor, ME – The University of Southern Maine Huskies came into Newman Gymnasium and spoiled the Eagles' 2011-12 home opener, upending Husson 80-72. USM led wire to wire with only a few ties, however despite the score line, the game was tightly contested throughout. The Eagles were outshot on the floor shooting 38.7%, and 27% from behind the arc, compared to 48% and 33.3% respectively from the Huskies. Husson had the better numbers from the charity stripe, making three quarters of their attempts however USM went to the line 41 times off the 26 Husson team fouls, and made 61% (25 points).
The Eagles had four players in double digits in the scoring column, led by junior swing-man Wes Murphy (Norwich, CT) and sophomore shooting guard Phil Leighton (Naples, ME) who had 13 apiece. Murphy got his thanks to the benefit of three 3-pointers, while Leighton was balanced in his attack, living off long-range two point jumpers. Point guard Daeshawn McMorrin (Naugatuck, CT) and 6'10 center Marc Zaharchuk (Richmond, ME) each netted 12 points.
The Huskies were led by senior guard Chris Pagentine (Lexington, NC) who scored a game-high 21 points on 50% shooting from the field and finishing 7-8 from the line. Jeremy Jackson (Laplace, LA) played solid inside, earning a double-double, potting 18 and pulling down an even 10 boards, while also registering a game-high 3 steals inside.
USM scored first, and went on an 8-0 run to lead the off the game before McMorrin found Zaharchuck inside to get on the home team on the board. The Huskies kept things going as the first half continued, leading by as many as 16 points in the period. With about four minutes remaining until intermission, both teams repeatedly dove on the floor after a loose ball which stayed loose for about 30 seconds before the Eagles finally claimed it. That sparked the Husson comeback, starting with a Murphy reverse layup. The Huskies traveled on their next possession, and Zaharchuck passed off to Brooks Spaulding (Fairfield, ME) who finished with authority – two of his 5 on the day to go along with a team-high nine rebounds – that cut the lead to 10 with 3:00 left to go. Husson would pull to within 3, capping off a 12-2 run late in the first with a McMorrin three from the corner just before time expired and the Eagles went into the break, down 40-37.
Husson would tie things up on their first possession of the 2nd half when Murphy hit a three from the corner on an inside-out play started by Leighton. The teams went up and down the court, with the Huskies fighting out to a lead, and the Eagles clawing their way back into it. USM led by as many as 11 down the stretch and the Eagles were not able to climb back into it, even when the game went down to free throws, and eventually the Huskies would claim the victory by a score of 80-72.
Husson Head Coach Warren Caruso talked about the game after the loss, "We made some progress out there, we still have a long way to go, but the more we get back out on the court and play, the better we're going to get. It's a little disappointing to take the L in the home-opener, but it was good to see our guys getting more comfortable and in the end performing better within the system, so that will be something for us to build on moving forward."
The Eagles continue their non-conference schedule next week, when they come back quickly from Thanksgiving to host Bowdoin College for a 4:00pm tip off on Sunday, November 27th. The Huskies return to Gorham for the first time this season as their home-opener is slated for Sunday at 1:00 against the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
