GORHAM, Maine –  Junior Fred Knight (Hampden, Maine/Hampden Academy) and senior Aaron Toman (Gardiner, Maine) each scored 10 points to lead the University of Southern Maine Huskies to a season-opening 82-50 win over the Maine Maritime Academy Mariners in a non-conference men's basketball game Saturday afternoon at Hill Gymnasium. 

            Fourteen different players scored for the Huskies and eight players had at least five points in a balanced effort as USM opens its 2015-2016 season at 1-0.  Maine Maritime, also playing in its season-opener, stands at 0-1 on the season.

            Southern Maine raced out to a commanding 49-19 lead at the half, shooting an outstanding 54.3 percent (19-for-35) from the field and 57.1 percent (8-for-14) from three-point territory.  Knight scored all 10 of his points in the opening half to pace the Huskies, canning 5-of-8 from the field.

            Trailing by 30 to open the second half, Maine Maritime trimmed its deficit to 23, 57-34, with 10:58 riding the hot hand of sophomore Brendan Newcomb (Holden, Maine/Brewer) who finished with a game-high 19 points, including a 5-for-10 effort from three.  It was as close as the Mariners would get however as USM cruised to the win. 

            USM freshman Eric Hoogterp (Old Town, Maine) tossed in nine points, while junior Zach Leal (York, Maine) and sophomore Isaiah Stone-Patterson (Rockland, Maine/Oceanside) each added eight points.  Stone-Patterson had a career-high six assists and added three steals in a solid floor game.

Newcomb was the only player in double digits for the Mariners.  Sophomore Tyler Thayer (Hermon, Maine) added nine points and four assists, and junior Dylan Stevens (Wells, Maine) added eight points.

            Southern Maine returns to action on Tuesday (5:30 p.m.) at nearby University of New England for a non-conference game.  Maine Maritime travels to SUNY-Maritime on Saturday (2:00 p.m.).

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