GORHAM, M.E. - UMass Boston Men's Basketball worked what was at one point a 17-point deficit down to a two-point game late in the second half against the University of Southern Maine on Wednesday night. The Huskies, however, held on late to hand the Beacons a 72-65 loss.

THE BASICS
UMass Boston 65, University of Southern Maine 72

UMass Boston (6-15, 5-7 LEC)
University of Southern Maine (11-9, 7-5 LEC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
An Emanuel Zayas three-pointer and layup combined with a Bobby Joy midrange jumper gave the Beacons a 7-4 lead in the opening minutes of the game. Connor Walden added a triple and Fidendi Francois put down a layup to extend the advantage to 12-6. Zayas and Walden, the team's leading scorers, finished the night with a combined 39 points after scoring five each in the first half.

Despite seven late points from Hector Perez, the Huskies finished the first half with a 42-27 lead. 

With a sizeable deficit to work at, the Beacons offense came alive early out of the halftime break. Walden knocked down back-to-back threes for the first six of his 15 second half points. With Erik Donaldson, Zayas, and Walden all working down low, UMass Boston kept the deficit at 10 points for much of the frame.

With six minutes remaining on the clock, the Beacons cut the game to nine points thanks to a Zayas three-pointer. A three for three showing at the line from Zayas on the following possession got the deficit all the way down to six points.

Consecutive baskets in the paint for Walden cut the score to 65-62 and after a pair of USM free throws, Carson Meczywor drained a three to pull within two points of the Huskies. The one-point game would be short lived, however, as the Huskies finished on a 5-0 run to win 72-65.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Francois added five steals to bring him up to 16 in just nine games played
• Zayas improved his scoring average to 18.3 points per game on the year
• The Beacons took advantage of second chances, scoring 12 points on bonus opportunities compared to just eight for the Huskies
• Walden grabbed seven rebounds to improve his team-best average to 6.9 per game
• The Beacons have won nine of the last 13 matchups between the two teams, but the Huskies have won three straight in the series

WHO'S NEXT
The Beacons will return to their home court on Saturday evening to take on nationally-ranked Keene State College at 5:30 PM.