The men’s basketball team retained possession of the Costello Cup this past Wednesday after beating rival St Joseph’s College 83-69. Each year, the winner of the game takes possession of the coveted Costello Cup until the teams face each other again the next season. This year it was the Huskies unrelenting defense that secured possession of the cup for USM.
Going into the game, senior Ryan Garland (Hermon, ME) said the team knew it was going to be a tough win.
“They beat us last time and we had the lead most of the game,” he said.
True to a rivalry, the game was intense with the two teams battling for the lead throughout the first half. With the Huskies down as time was running out, senior tri-captain Jason Levecque (Westbrook, ME), took a jumper in attempt to tie the game. Unable to connect, Levecque’s rebound was grabbed by St. Joe’s, who made a run for a lay-up. In a tremendous defensive effort, Levesque blocked the shot off the glass, creating a fast break for USM, who tied the game at the half with a lay-up by junior forward Caleb Sayward (Raymond, ME).
With the game tied at the beginning of the second half, it was USM who stepped up play. With intelligent use of their bench, the Huskies, were able to wear down the Monks by continually scoring in transition. The Huskies were also successful getting the ball inside to Sayward and junior Bill Hardwick (Boothbay, ME), both tough players for any team to defend.
The Monks made several runs in the second half in an attempt to close in on the Huskies, but once scoring in the second half the Huskies held onto their lead for the rest of the game. Levecque led the Huskies with 19 points, while three other players scored in the double digits as well.
Coach Karl Henrikson felt defense was the key in the second half. “Playing well comes from defense. Our defense is what created our offense.”
Garland agreed, “The team got after it defensively. Our man-to-man really took them out of their offense.”
The Huskies have five regular season games remaining, all of them against Little East Conference opponents. Henrikson feels the team could win each game.
“The team’s focus now is league play. We have a chance to win each game, we just need to concentrate and keep improving.”