FARMINGTON, Maine - The University of Southern Maine men’s basketball team had little trouble finding offense as six players reached double figures and all 14 players who entered the game tallied points as the Huskies doubled-up the University of Maine at Presque Isle 112-55 in the consolation game of the 2004 UMF Invitational.
With the win USM improves to 1-1, while the loss drops UMaine Presque Isle to 0-2.
Senior guard Mike Francoeur (Somersworth, N.H./Cheshire) paced the Huskies with 18 points on 6-for-10 shooting from the field, including a game-high four three point field goals. Senior guard Jason Levecque (Westbrook, Maine/Westbrook) and freshman guard Josh Daniels (Seattle, Wash./Maine Central Institute) each chipped in with 14 points, while senior guard Ryan Garland (Hermon, Maine/Hermon), sophomore guard Foster Oakley (Farmington, Maine/Mt. Blue) and junior forward Bill Hardwick (Boothbay, Maine/Boothbay) added 10 points a piece.
The Huskies shot 50.6 percent from the field, connecting on 42 of their 83 attempts, and were as equally as accurate from beyond the arc hitting 14 of their 31 three-point field goal attempts. It is the first time since the 2002-2003 season that Southern Maine has scored more than 100 points, reaching the century mark in a 106-74 win over Little East Conference opponent Eastern Connecticut on February 22, 2003. The team’s 112 points are the most points scored by a Husky squad since they poured in 124 points in a 124-78 win over Thomas in 2002.
UMaine Presque Isle made just 18 field goals for the game, shooting an icy 38.3 percent from the field on 18-of-43 attempts. The Owls Fabian Lennox (Chicago, Ill.) led all scorers with 28 points, while Alastair Hills (Wirksworth, United Kingdom) added 13 points.
The Huskies held distinct advantage in both rebounding and turnovers as Southern Maine out-muscled the Owls 51-28 on the boards while committing just 10 turnovers to Presque Isle’s 26.
The Huskies also aided their effort by distributing the ball well making 26 assists, as three players had five assists, including Garland, Caleb Sayward (Raymond, Maine/Gray-New Gloucester) and Roy Goodale (Montville, Maine/Mt. View).
In the championship game, UMaine Farmington overcame a first-half deficit to defeat Palm Beach Atlantic College 86-75.
Southern Maine returns to action Tuesday, November 23 at Bates for a 7:30 p.m. tip off.