BOSTON, MA (January 3, 2024) – The UMass Boston men's basketball squad took a tight loss on the chin against Little East Conference opponents the Huskies of the University of Southern Maine. The addition of two new Beacons following the return from holiday break brought a new light to the team with sophomore forward Connor Walden bringing a refreshing spark of energy to the team, as they will look to build off of tonight's performance throughout the remainder of the season.

Walden and junior guard Emannuel Zayas each contributed a team-high 19 points, with Zayas testing his jumper from limitless range, as he connected on four of his 12 attempts from downtown. Each three-pointer seemed to be further and further away for the Beacons' leading scorer, with Walden equally committed to stretching the floor, as he matched Zayas from deep range with efficiency, connecting on three of his seven attempts from downtown. Walden was also the anchor for the Beacons on the defensive end, securing seven rebounds to go with two blocks and three steals against the Huskies' offense. Zayas, along with sophomore guard Alex Woolery and junior forward Anthony Gauthier each forced issues for the Huskies creating two turnovers each, with Gauthier also contributing three rebounds and an assist in his return from injury. The Beacons had a primary focus on defense, as they produced more blocks and steals on the night, but a key component in their loss was the deficit in rebounding compared to the Huskies, with the
Beacons' bringing down 31 as a team compared to the Huskies' 44.

Junior forward Corrie Byrd won the tip for the Beacons to initiate the start of the game. Walden got right to work in the post starting the Beacons out on a make down low. The Beacs' defense built off the hot start by creating a stop-and-score opportunity that led to Walden's second make of the game, a catch-and-shoot three from deep range. The Beacs used this spark of offense to build out a 13-3 run to start off the game. The Huskies were able to chip their way back into the game, drawing the score even following a Chance Dixon three-pointer for the Huskies to tie the game at 18 apiece. The final six minutes of the first half saw the Beacons and the Huskies go blow-for-blow, as both teams seemed to find their rhythm. The scoring was tied at 29 following the first 20 minutes of play. The Beacons outscored the Huskies 12-8 in paint scoring, while shooting 12-28 as a team in the first half, good for 42% from the field, including five of 15 from deep range (33%). The Beacons failed to get a whistle for the entire first half, as they didn't see any free throw opportunities through the half.

The first five minutes of the second half picked up right where the first half had ended, with both teams trading baskets on consecutive possessions. At the 15-minute mark, Zayas was able to give the Beacons a spark following a deep three, including the foul, as he converted the four-point-play to give the Beacons a one-possession lead. The Huskies took back control of the game minutes later following a Clay Kuhn layup that would put them in the lead by a single possession. Halfway through the second half, the two teams were still knotted even at 45. The Huskies wouldn't begin to pull away with the lead until the last five minutes of the game, going on a nine to two-point run over the Beacons, giving the Huskies a seven-point cushion. Zayas willed the Beacons back into a two-possession game following another incredible three-pointer with a minute and 45 seconds remaining.

The Beacons closed the game out by shooting 11-35 from the field, good for 37% for the entire game. Despite the result, the new-look Beacons brought an exciting energy that seemed to showcase a significant amount of promise for the young Beacons squad.

UMass Boston men's basketball will take the court again on Saturday, January 6 from Keene, N.H as they tip-off against the Owls of Keene State in an LEC conference matchup. Live stats and video coverage will be available at UMass Boston - Official Athletics Website (beaconsathletics.com).