GORHAM, Maine – Saint Joseph's College (2-6) pushed the University of Southern Maine (3-4) to the brink but ultimately came up short in overtime, 91–83, in a non-conference men's basketball contest Sunday night at Hill Gym.
COSTELLO CUP:
Sunday's matchup marked the 35th game in the Costello Cup series between the rival programs. With the result, Saint Joseph's maintains a 19–16 edge in the Cup standings after reclaiming the trophy in 2024 for the first time since 2022. Southern Maine has won four of the last five Cup meetings (2019, 2021, 2023, 2025).
The Costello Cup is presented annually to the winner of the contest between the two schools and honors the late Dr. Richard "Doc" Costello, former USM Athletic Director and longtime head coach for both the men's and women's basketball programs.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
With the game tied 5–5 just over four minutes in, USM used a 21–8 surge over the next 10 minutes to create separation, sparked by freshman Cohen Galley, who buried a trio of threes in a 57-second span to help the hosts build a 26–13 lead with 5:13 left in the half.
The Monks trailed 35–25 at the break and later faced a 59–47 deficit with 10:42 remaining before senior John Paul Frazier (York, Maine) drilled a pair of threes during a 10–0 run that sliced the margin to 59–57 three minutes later. The teams traded blows over the next several possessions until freshman Yusuf Dakane (Lewiston, Maine) knocked down a three and senior Wani Donato (Portland, Maine) added two free throws to pull Saint Joseph's even at 68–68 with 4:07 to play.
Down the stretch, the lead changed hands repeatedly. Thomas Whelan scored on a loose-ball layup to put USM ahead 70–68, but freshman guard Davis Mann (Falmouth, Maine) answered with a three-point play to give the Monks a 71–70 edge. Whelan responded with a corner three to make it 73–71 Huskies with 1:27 left, and Mann later drove for the tying layup with 26 seconds remaining to force overtime.
USM struck first in the extra session on a Whelan free throw and never relinquished control, going a perfect 4-for-4 from the floor and 10-for-12 at the line in the overtime period to close out the 91–83 decision.
STATS OF THE GAME:
After enduring a difficult 25.0% (9–36 FG) shooting performance in the opening half, Saint Joseph's flipped the script in the second stanza, shooting 50.0% (17–34 FG) to force overtime. Southern Maine's bench proved decisive, outscoring the Monks' reserves by a 39–13 margin.
LEADERS – SAINT JOSEPH'S:
LEADERS – SOUTHERN MAINE:
- Cohen Galley: 20 points, 7–11 FG, 6–8 3FG, 3 assists, 2 steals
- Evans Sterling: 19 points, 7–12 FG, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks
- Carter Galley: 19 points, 7–13 FG, 4–4 FT, 3 assists, 1 steal
HISTORICALLY SPEAKING:
Sunday's contest was the 76th all-time meeting between Saint Joseph's College and the University of Southern Maine in a rivalry dating back to 1972. The Huskies hold a 39–37 advantage in the overall series.
NEXT!
Saint Joseph's will host Colby College on Saturday in a non-conference game set to begin at 2:00 PM.
