After Leading by 8 at Halftime, USIU Loses Sixth Game in a Row

HANOVER, N.H. —  The U.S. International University men’s basketball team squandered an 8-point halftime lead and lost its sixth consecutive game, 92-78, to St. Francis (N.Y.) Saturday in the consolation game of a tournament at Dartmouth.

The Gulls (3-8) will get another chance at St. Francis (4-3) when they play host to the Terriers Dec. 30 at Golden Hall.

USIU completes this 10-game trip, on its record is 1-8, Monday night at Coppin State in Baltimore, Md.

Dartmouth defeated Maine, 63-53, Saturday to win the tournament title. Maine had defeated the Gulls, 82-67, in the first round.

Demetrius Laffitte had 21 points Saturday to lead USIU. Forward Gary Williams added 15.

St. Francis was led by Darrwin Purdie’s 22 points, scored on 9-of-14 shooting despite his playing most of the second half with four fouls. Steve Mickens scored 19, including 4 of 5 from 3-point range, and Anthony Robinson added 14 points and 13 rebounds.

St. Francis was 7 of 14 from three-point range, and the Gulls were just 3 of 16. St. Francis also outperformed the Gulls at the line, making 25 of 32 attempts while USIU was 13 of 26.

After Coppin State, the Gulls return for a 5-game homestand, their longest of the season. It includes Montana Dec. 28, St. Francis, and Vermont Jan. 2., St. Mary’s Jan. 4 and Loyola Marymount Jan. 7.