GORHAM

Behind a 42-point effort from their bench, the Bowdoin College men’s basketball team survived a road test at Southern Maine, 84- 72, on Tuesday evening.

The 22nd-ranked Polar Bears remained perfect at 5-0, while the Huskies fell to 1-5.

The teams traded runs in the early going, with USM taking its biggest lead of the contest, 31-27, on a Christian McCue 3- pointer with four minutes remaining in the first half.

Bowdoin replied with a 14-3 run to close the half, thanks to five points apiece from David Reynolds and Stephen Ferraro to take a 41-34 edge at the break.

The Polar Bears never relinquished the lead, but failed to completely shake the Huskies in the second half. Bowdoin answered every USM basket in the second period. The Huskies drew as close as eight points, 70-62, with 3:30 remaining. The Polar Bears extended their lead to as many as 13 points in the second half on their way to the win.

Bowdoin connected on 47-percent of its shots compared to 41-percent for USM, but the Huskies connected on six 3-pointers compared to just two for the Polar Bears.

Bowdoin took advantage of USM fouling, connecting on 34-45 free throws, including 20-28 to close out the win in the second half.

Ferraro and Reynolds led Bowdoin with 16 points apiece off the bench. Jack Simonds had 11 points and nine rebounds, while Hugh O’Neil added 11 points and seven boards.

Bowdoin held a 43-34 advantage in rebounding.

Bowdoin will return to action on Thursday evening at Anna Maria at 7 p.m.

Women’s basketball

Bowdoin scored a season high in points, cruising to a 94-53 win over the University of Southern Maine on Tuesday evening.

The Polar Bears, ranked 10th in the WBCA and 17th in the D3hoops.com national polls, improved to 5-0. The Huskies remained winless at 0-6.

Bowdoin jumped to an 11-2 lead and owned a 15-7 advantage with two minutes remaining in the opening quarter. The Polar Bears rolled off a 8-0 run to close the period, sparked by consecutive 3-pointers from Moira Train and Abby Kelly to take a 23-9 advantage at the end of the first.

The lead stayed in double-figures for the rest of the contest, as Bowdoin extended its advantage to 44-22 at halftime and outscored USM 32-11 in the third. Bowdoin led by as many as 51 points in the second half en route to the win.

Bowdoin connected on 58- percent of its shots for the game (37-of-63), including 47- percent from 3-point range (9-of-19).

Bowdoin owned a 35-26 edge in rebounding and forced 30 USM turnovers, cashing in 39 points off turnovers in the win.

Five players saw double-figures for the Polar Bears, led by 14 from Taylor Choate, who also had six steals and five rebounds. Lauren Petit and Kelly had 10 points each, while Annie Maher (11) and Hannah Graham (13) led a 48-point bench effort for Bowdoin.

Kristen Curley led USM with 14 points.

Bowdoin will return home for a Thursday night game in Morrell Gymnasium against UMass-Dartmouth at 7 p.m.

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