BANGOR – The University of Southern Maine women’s basketball team is gearing up for the start of its Little East Conference season Saturday at Eastern Connecticut.

The Huskies of Gorham, ranked No. 15 in the country, placed five players in double figures Tuesday night while cruising to a 98-55 victory over Husson College at Newman Gym.

Stacey Kent scored 17 points to lead the way for the Huskies, who shot 56 percent (33-for-59) from the field, including 63 percent in the second half.

Coach Gary Fifield’s ballclub, which is coming off two lopsided victories in last weekend’s USM Invitational, has bounced back well after suffering its only loss Dec. 15 at the hands of Salem State.

“The toughest part was, our loss was right before the [holiday] break,” Fifield said. “I think it was a lesson. They came back very well.”

Josalee Danieli tallied 14 points for USM, while Nicole Paradis of Skowhegan (six assists) and Kristen Arsenault netted 12 each. Dawn Ross chipped in with 11 points.

Fifield said playing in Bangor is beneficial for USM players and local basketball fans.

“We have enough kids from eastern Maine that it’s great for them to get back here,” Fifield said. “It’s also a chance for us to showcase our program, because a lot of people up here don’t get to see us play.”

The Huskies (11-1) exhibited unselfish ball movement on offense, outrebounded the Eagles 44-22 and posted a 26-12 edge at the foul line. USM capitalized on its talent and depth while overwhelming the Eagles.

“You can see that we’re very deep,” Fifield said. “We’re playing nine kids 15 or more minutes [per game].”

Jenny Rollins of Corinth spearheaded the Husson (3-6) effort with a game-high 19 points. Nicole Lincoln of Dixmont added nine points.

Coach Kissy Walker’s Eagles had difficulty establishing consistent offense against a quicker USM squad, while the hosts also had their hands full defending the Huskies, especially in the post.

“The bottom line is, we’re hoping it’s going to prepare us for [North Atlantic] Conference play,” Walker said. “They were physically stronger and quicker and bigger than we were. Hopefully, that makes us play tougher against our next opponents.”

USM simply had too much offensive firepower. The Huskies built a 20-point halftime lead, then gradually pulled away in the last 10 minutes. They made 15 steals on the evening.

USM also was able to capitalize on its height advantage in the frontcourt, which produced some close-range baskets and the rebounding disparity. The Huskies swallowed up Eagles leading scorer Shelby Bradford of Lee, who managed only four points on 1-for-5 shooting.

USM made its move during a five-minute span in the first half. Already leading by nine, the Huskies took command with a game-breaking 17-4 run.

Six different players scored for USM during the surge, which was book-ended by Dawn Ross 3-pointers. The Huskies were successful attacking the basket on a steal and layup by Kent, a driving layup by Paradis, a foul-line jumper and a low-post basket by Danieli and free throws by Kristen Arsenault (2) and Kaylie DeMillo (1).

pwarner@bangordailynews.net

990-8240

HUSKIES 98, EAGLES 55

Southern Maine (11-1) Husson (3-6)

Player G AG F AF TP Player G AG AF TP

Paradis 4 7 3 3 12 Bradford 1 4

Ross 4 11 1 1 11 Barden 0 2 0 0

Danieli 6 10 2 2 14 Al. Brgdn 1 5

Kent 6 10 3 3 17 Rollins 8 14 0 19

Kynoch 1 2 6 10 8 As. Brgdn 1 5

DeMillo 1 2 1 2 3 Sewell 0 2 3

Dixon 2 2 0 0 5 Nrswrthy 0 0

Johnson 0 0 0 0 0 Lincoln 3 4 9

MacDonld 1 2 1 2 3 Blindow 0 1 0

Santa Fe 2 4 0 0 4 Archer 1 7 5

Arsenault 4 6 4 5 12 Barnes 2 4 5

Violette 0 1 2 2 2 Richards 0 0

Hunter 2 2 3 4 7 Plourde 0 1 0

Lavertu 0 3 0 0

Totals 33 59 26 34 98 Totals 17 52 12 15 55

Southern Maine 49 98

Husson 29 55

3-pt. goals – Southern Maine (6-15): Ross 2-5, Kent 2-5, Dixon 1-1, Paradis 1-2, MacDonald 0-1, Arsenault 0-1; Husson (9-24): Lincoln 3-3, Rollins 3-5, As. Bragdon 1-1, Al. Bragdon 1-5, Archer 1-6, Barden 0-1, Sewell 0-1, Blindow 0-1, Plourde 0-1

Attendance: 250 (est.)