The loss is the second in as many games for Southern Maine, now 0-2.  Connecticut College evens its record to 1-1 after suffering a 60-55 set back in its season-opener.   Framingham State, the winner over Connecticut College in the first round, defeated Anna Maria 62-55 for the championship.

            In a closely contested game, Southern Maine trailed the Camels by six, 62-56, after junior Cole Libby (Buxton, Maine/Bonny Eagle) drained a three off of a feed from sophomore Zach Leal (York, Maine)as the Huskies', who had not led since early in the first half, stayed with the Camels and were knocking at the door to take over.  However, Connecticut College's sophomore Zuri Pavlin (New York, N.Y./Brewster Academy) made sure the Camels would stay in front scoring six of his 12 points and snagged four of his game-high 15 rebounds in the final 4:30. 

            After Libby's three, Pavlin scored a layup and freshman Lee Messier (Narragansett, R.I./Tilton School)  knocked down a three to sandwich a Leal free throw for a 67-57 Camel advantage.  Two free throws from Libby cut the USM deficit to eight, 67-59, before Pavlin hit back-to-back layups again around a Leal free throw for a 71-60 lead with 2:06 to play.  From there, Connecticut College scored the final four points of the game from the free throw line to secure the victory.

            Leal finished with a team-high 19 points for the Huskies' earning a spot on the All-Tournament team.  Leal was an outstanding 7-for-9 from the field adding four rebounds and three assists.  Sophomore Fred Knight (Hampden, Maine) had 11 points, and five rebounds in a 4-for-8 effort. Juniors Sean Caddigan (Bethel, Maine/Telstar) and Jalen Lincoln (Nobleboro, Maine/Lincoln Academy) each had eight points.  Libby finished with five points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals.

            Messier led all scorers with 20 points as four players scored in double-figures for the Camels.  Pavlin finished with 12 points, 15 rebounds on 6-for-10 shooting, while  freshman Isaiah Robinson (Lynn, Mass./Salisbury) tossed in 11 points.  Junior Bo McKinley (Westport, N.Y./The Hun School) added 10 points for Connecticut College.

            Southern Maine hosts University of New England on Wednesday (7:30 p.m.).  It is the first regular season home game for the Huskies.  Connecticut College travels to Yeshiva University on Thursday (8:00 p.m.). 

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