With the loss, Southern Maine opens its 2013-2014 campaign at 0-1.  Westfield State opens its season at 1-0 with the win. 

Clinging to a 54-53 lead with 6:36 to play, Westfield State closed out the game on a 14-7 run to come away with the win. Santiago scored seven of his 13 points in the pivotal run, while Crapps added five. Crapps was 6-for-8 from the floor with three assists in a strong performance off of the bench for the Owls.  Santiago was 3-for-7 from the field and two-for-three from three-point distance.

Senior forward James Odneal (Pontiac, Mich.) was 7-for-12 from the field for 16 points to lead the Huskies.  Senior guard Conor Sullivan (Scarborough, Maine) posted a double-double with 14 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.  Sophomore guard Cole Libby (Buxton, Maine/Bonny Eagle) added nine points, two assists and two steals. 

The game was tightly contested throughout the entire 40 minutes featuring 14 lead changes and seven tie scores.  The Owls were able to separate themselves from the Owls from three-point range sinking six three-pointers to the Huskies' two threes. The Huskies shot a solid 45.1 percent (23-for-51) from the field and had a 36-26 edge on points in the paint. The Owls shot 41.5 percent (22-for-53) from the floor.

Southern Maine faces St. Joseph's (L.I.) on Saturday (1:00 p.m.) in the third game of Rick Martin/Holiday Inn Express Classic.  Westfield State faces Plymouth State in the final game of the classic at 3:00 p.m.

–cac–