GORHAM – Junior guard Andy Tracy (Ellsworth) calmly collected a loose ball and sank an elbow jumper with five seconds remaining in the regulation to lift the University of Southern Maine Huskies to a 61-59 win over the University of Maine at Farmington Beavers in a non-conference men’s basketball game Monday night at Hill Gymnasium.
Tracy’s game-winning shot halts the Huskies four-game losing streak and delivers their second win of the season to improve to 2-6 overall. Dropping its second game in as many contests, UMF dips below .500 on the season at 2-3 overall.
Tracy finished the game with a double-double scoring 14 points and grabbing a game and career-high 12 rebounds. Freshman forward Sean Bergeron (Kennebunk) led all scorers with 17 points and seven rebounds, while sophomore guards Otis Smith (Altamonte Springs, Fla.) and Luke Pollock (Eliot) each chipped in with nine points. Smith added a career-best 11 rebounds to help USM to a 43-37 advantage on the boards.
Sophomore forward Eric Taylor (Oakland) led the Beavers with 15 points and nine rebounds off of the bench. Senior forward Ted Neil (Strong) added 12 points and senior forward Pat Howell (Nobleboro) chipped in with nine points and a team-high 10 rebounds.
Both teams struggled offensively, combining to make just 35 field goals in the game, and shot in the high 20s in the opening half. Southern Maine shot an ice-cold 8-for-30 (26.7 percent), while the Beavers enjoyed a slightly better 8-for-28 (28.6 percent). The Beavers were able to eek out a 26-23 lead at the break thanks to nine first half free throws (9-for-14).
In the second half each team battled back and forth and after a Tracy offensive rebound and a layup to deliver the eight tied score of the half, 49-49, with 5:09 to play, USM rattled off a 8-1 run to seemingly take control of the game, 57-50, with 2:21 on the clock. The Huskies received baskets form four different players in the run including layups from Bergeron, Tracy, Pollock and freshman guard Mike Poulin (Bangor). The Beavers however were able to counter with a run of their own to force the ninth tie of the half forcing the Huskies into defensive miscues and getting to the free throw line. UMF outscored USM 9-2 over a one-minute and 37 second span, including six free throws and a game-tying three-pointer from Neil with 18 seconds on the clock.
In its next possession, USM was able to run some time off the clock before the ball was knocked loose in the paint, setting up the Tracy jumper. UMF was able to get off a deep range last second three-pointer as the buzzer sounded but it bounced off the rim and out.
UMF hosts Thomas College in a North Atlantic Conference match-up on Wednesday (7:30 p.m.).
