Men’s Basketball
Huskies get fifth straight against Plymouth State
1/29 – The USM men’s basketball team recorded their fifth straight win with a 76-65 win over Plymouth State on Jan. 29. Led by senior forward Drew Coppenrath (Barnet, VT), who poured in 23 points on 10-for-13 shooting and grabbed 10 rebounds, the Huskies matched their longest winning streak since 2000. Senior forward Jamaal Caterina (Portland) added 21 points and seven rebounds for the Huskies, while senior center Nick Gooding (Concord, CA) came off the bench adding 17 points to the Huskies’ scoring attack. Coach Karl Henrikson’s squad opened up an early 17 point lead, saw Plymouth State methodically claw their way to within one point, and then reeled off a 12-4 run to keep the Panthers at bay.
Women’s Basketball
Nine straight for Huskies with 69-50 win over Plymouth State
Three players in double-figures keyed a scoring attack that led the nationally-ranked USM women’s basketball team to a 69-50 win over Plymouth State. Senior forward Josalee Danieli (New Gloucester) led the Huskies with 13 points off the bench. Junior guard Stacy Kent (Northwood, NH) and sophomore forward Becky Dixon (Pittston) chipped in with 11 and 10 points respectively, while senior forward Shannon Kynoch (South Burlington, VT) dominated the stat sheet with nine points, a game-high eight boards, five assists and a career-high four blocks. With the win, the Huskies moved to 17-1 overall and a perfect 8-0 in conference play.
Wrestling
Valastro cracks national rankings
1/29 – Junior co-captain Stephen Valastro (Montgomery, NY) was voted into the Jan. 29 National Wrestling Coaches Association’s Div. III Brute/Adidas poll. Currently ranked tenth in the nation, Valastro, who wrestles in the 133-pound division, is 16-2 overall and 10-0 in dual meets with six pins. He joins only seven other Pilgrim Wrestling League competitors who are ranked in the national poll.Throughout his three years at USM, Valastro has compiled a remarkable 62-16 record and last season was the second USM wrestler ever to qualify for the NCAA National Championships.
-Source www.usm.maine.edu/athl
Compiled by Mike Tardiff