BRUNSWICK, Maine - The Bowdoin College men's basketball team used an 18-5 run in the second half to rally for a 79-70 win over the University of Southern Maine on Tuesday evening at Morrell Gymnasium. 

The Polar Bears improve to 2-0 on the young season with the win while the Huskies drop to 3-2 with the setback.

Game Highlights

• A back-and-forth opening half saw the Huskies connect on 53% of their shots, including five three-pointers, to take a slim 39-37 lead at the break.
• Jacobe Thomas had 12 points in the opening stanza for USM, while Michael Simonds countered with 11 for Bowdoin.
• USM extended their lead to as many as six points, 49-43, following a jumper by Chance Dixon with 14:30 to go. 
• Afamdi Achufusi countered immediately with a three-pointer for Bowdoin, and the Polar Bears tied it on their next possession on a trifecta from Manav Randhawa, 49-49.
• Those three-pointers began a decisive 18-5 run for the Polar Bears, who got eight points from Jack Shea in the run, which pushed their lead to 11 points, 66-55, with 6:30 to play.
• USM could get no closer than six points over the remainder as Bowdoin held on to win. 

By The Numbers

• Michael Simonds had an outstanding evening, leading Bowdoin with 20 points to go with eight rebounds. 
• Xander Werkman had 14 points and eight caroms while Jack Shea posted a double-double with 13 points and ten boards. 
• Manav Randhawa also had double figures with 12 points - on four three-pointers. 
• USM was led by 22 points by Chance Dixon in defeat.
• The Huskies finished at 50% shooting for the game, but couldn't overcome 20 turnovers and Bowdoin's dominant peformance on the glass. The Polar Bears held a 42-31 edge in rebounding, including 16 offensive rebounds and 17 second-chance points.

Up Next

• The Polar Bears will play at the Western New England Tip-Off Tournament this Saturday and Sunday, opening at 4:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon against Wheaton College.