GORHAM, ME. (January 8, 2025)—Graduate forward Mark Barrett (Brookline, Mass.) added a season-high 17 points in Wednesday's effort against the Huskies. However, the Beacons' second-half comeback was faltered in the final minute against the University of Southern Maine, as UMass Boston returns home empty-handed.

The Basics
UMass Boston 77 – 82 Southern Maine
UMass Boston 7-5 (2-2 Little East Conference)
Southern Maine 6-7 (2-2 LEC)

How it Happened:

• The Beacons came away with the opening tip, and junior forward Tyler Victor (Brockton, Mass.) opened scoring for UMass Boston at the charity stripe. Senior captain Emanuel Zayas (Hollywood, Fla.) would knock down the game's first field goal with a craft layup underneath the bucket. The Huskies built out a comfortable lead in the early goings. They established a 12-point advantage over the Beacons just under halfway through the first half. The reigning LEC Rookie of the Week, Raphel Laurent (Peabody, Mass.) finished on the drive to bring the deficit back down to five with eight minutes to go. The following five minutes were spent by Southern Maine rebuilding a comfortable 15-point cushion over the Beacons as they caught fire from beyond the arc. Barrett would spot up the midrange jumper to cut it back down to seven as UMass Boston retook the locker rooms for the halftime break.
• Laurent led the offensive charge in the first half with 11 points (5-7 FG, 1-1 3PT). Barrett went 4-6 in the first half for nine points and four rebounds. Junior forward Connor Walden (Marshfield, Mass.) earned his money on the glass, leading the rebounding efforts in the first half with five boards.
• Once again, Victor opened the scoring for the Beacons in the paint to begin the second half. Little by little, the Beacons began to chip away at the fading lead. Victor finished inside the paint to cut the Huskies lead to four at the 16:57 mark. First-year Davon Sanders (Mansfield, Mass.) made it a one-point game by finishing the score off the Zayas steal and converting the and-one free throw. The following minutes saw the lead jump back and forth between the teams. Walden scored in the paint on back-to-back possessions to retake the lead for the Beacons at the 9:39 mark. With under two minutes remaining, the Beacons scrapped back from down five to retake a one-point lead off the Victor layup in the final moments. A final Huskies basket and pair of free throws would be the conclusion, as UMass Boston submitted a valiant effort against the Huskies in a gritty team effort.

By the Box:

• Barrett added a season-high of 17 points (8-11 FG, 1-1 3PT), a team-high for the Beacons in their effort. Barrett also added six rebounds, three assists and two steals.
• In 33 minutes off the bench, Laurent contributed 16 points (7-15 FG, 2-5 3PT), four rebounds, two assists and two steals.
• Zayas added 14 points, and was the lead playmaker with four assists and two steals.
• Sanders continued settling into his team role, adding a career-high 32 minutes off the bench. In his time on the court against the Huskies, he added career highs in points (12), minutes, field goals made (5) and attempted (12).
• Walden took pride on the glass, nearly adding a double-double with eight points and a team-high 10 rebounds.

Who's Next:

• The Beacons look to bounce back on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. against the Owls of Keene State in an LEC weekend showcase from the Clark Gymnasium in Boston, MA.