Eagles Drop Consolation Game to S. Maine Despite Strong First Half

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Senior forward Conor Sullivan posted game highs of 28 points and 12 rebounds to power the University of Southern Maine to an 82-65 victory over St. Joseph's College of Long Island, N.Y., in the Rick Martin/Holiday Inn Express Men's Basketball Classic hosted by Westfield State University on Saturday, Nov. 16. 

Southern Maine ended the two-day Classic with a 1-1 record; St. Joseph's finished 0-2.

Southern Maine placed four players in double figures to offset the St. Joseph's scoring tandem of Andy Laurent and Darryl Charles, who tallied 22 and 21 points, respectively. They were the only Golden Eagles scoring in double figures.

Starters Tyler Penney and Cole Libby scored 15 and 14 points, respectively, for the Huskies and reserve guard Kyle Pluchino added 10 points. 

The teams traded leads in the first half before Southern Maine began pulling away in the second stanza. Sullivan drained two free throws to give the Huskies their biggest first-half advantage, 20-14. 

But led by Charles and Laurent, St. Joseph's went on a 15-2 run for a 29-22 lead with 5:28 remaining in the first half. Sullivan snapped the Golden Eagle scoring spurt with two consecutive layups.  The teams exchanged baskets the remainder of the half and St. Joseph's led at intermission, 38-37, following two Laurent free throws with seven seconds remaining.

Southern Maine began pulling away six minutes into the second half. With the score tied at 50-all, the Huskies went on an 8-0 run sparked by a 3-point basket and layup from Libby. 

St. Joseph's closed to within five points, 58-53, midway through the second half, but Southern Maine took a 69-55 lead with 5:42 remaining following a Sullivan layup and 3-point basket along with a Penney jumper. 

Southern Maine shot 51 percent form the field (31 for 60), including 6 for 14 from 3-point range. Sullivan (11 for 16) and Penney (7 for 10) were the Huskies' top shooters. St. Joseph's only shot 39 percent from floor, including 2 for 17 from beyond the arc. 

Both teams totaled 36 rebounds. Charles grabbed a team-high 11 and James Odneal hauled down 10 boards for the Huskies.

(Courtesy Westfield Sports Information)