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            GORHAM, Maine -- Junior forward Sean Bergeron (Kennebunk, Maine) scored a team-high 18 points to lead four players in double figures as the University of Southern Maine Huskies earned a 85-74 victory over the University of New England Nor'easters in the teams' season opener Monday night at the Warren Hill Gymnasium.

            The victory was the Huskies' first win since they defeated the University of Maine Farmington last December, and snapped a 17-game losing streak.  It was their first victory at home since February 21, 2009, and their first season-opening victory since the 2006-2007 season.

            Bergeron was a perfect 6-for-6 from the field and 6-for-7 from the free throw line.  Senior forward Otis Smith (Altamonte Springs, Fla./Ocoee) racked up a double-double with 15 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two steals.  Junior forward Leif O'Connell (Hodgdon, Maine) added 13 points, while sophomore guard Alex Kee (Bath, Maine/Morse) tossed in 10 points.

            Junior guard Marcus Winn (Austin, Texas/Del Valle) led all scorers with 24 points.  Junior forward Ryan Knotek (Saratoga Springs, N.Y./Central Catholic) and junior forward Jordan Stinglen (South Berwick, Maine/Christian School) each scored 13 points.  Knotek grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.

            Southern Maine raced out to a 12-2 lead in the opening five minutes of the game and led wire to wire.  The Huskies appeared in control of the game, leading by as many as 19 points, 59-40, with 10:59 to play following a three-pointer from junior guard Chris Pagentine (Lexington, N.C./North Davidson).

            The Nor'easters were able to whittle the USM advantage down to a basket, 64-62,with 4:39 to play with a remarkable 22-5 run.  Winn was instrumental in the UNE comeback attempt netting eight of his 24 points over a six-minute span.

            After a jumper from sophomore forward J.D. Winn (Austin, Texas/Del Valle) pulled the Nor'easters within two, the teams traded baskets over the next two minutes leaving the Huskies ahead, 71-69, with 2:16 to play. 

            Southern Maine was able to put the game away over the next minute of play with a 6-0 run. Bergeron hit a jumper, followed by a three-pointer from Kee and 1-of-2 free throws from senior guard Corteze Isaac (Germantown, Md./Northwest), to lead 77-69 with 50 seconds left on the clock.  USM sealed the victory at the free throw line making 8-for-10 attempts down the stretch.

            Southern Maine remains at home for its next contest when it hosts Wentworth Institute of Technology on Wednesday (7:00 p.m.).  UNE hosts in-state rival St. Joseph's College on Wednesday (8:00 p.m.).

-cac-