BOSTON - The Saints (3-1) used a big second half to handle the University of Southern Maine (2-1) at Andy Yosinoff Court on Wednesday night. After trailing by as much as 10 in the first half, junior forward Mahari Guerrier and first-year guard Danny Adams rallied the squad as they picked up their third straight victory.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair until a Stephen Gabriel III driving finish capped off a 10-2 run by the Huskies, creating a double-digit advantage at 28-18, and established early control. It didn't take long, but the Saints fought back, and a pair of Guerrier jumpers cut the deficit to just three with under a minute remaining in the first half. Southern Maine took a one-point advantage into the locker room, 36-35.

The teams both started the second half with great energy and pace, as they went back and forth trading baskets. At the 17-minute mark, the Huskies frenetic defense looked poised to force a turnover, until first-year guard Aidan Oliveira regained possession, and swung it to Guerrier in the corner for a three, cutting the deficit back to three.

Emmanuel grabbed their first lead since the opening minutes of the game at the 11-minute mark of the half, as Guerrier powered his way to the rim for a layup, 54-53, and the team never looked back. Great team defense forced a string of stops on the Huskies, and the Saints were able to convert for easy layups, taking a 60-55 advantage halfway through the period.

Emmanuel was able to keep Southern Maine at bay, and then the highlight of the night by Adams, a sidestep three after shaking the defender with the shot clock expiring, ignited the game-clinching run.

The Saints went up by as much as 16 in the second half, and the lack of three-point shooting from the Huskies cost them in this one, as Emmanuel grabbed their third straight victory of the young campaign.

Guerrier led the charge for the team, playing all but four minutes and posting a career high in points with 34, the seventh most in a single game in program history. Adams also contributed 19 points and three steals, continuing his impressive freshman season. First-year guard Manny Duran also played a key role, adding 10 points and six rebounds, to go along with two blocks.

Men's Basketball returns to the Jean Yawkey Center on Saturday afternoon when they play host to Williams College, with a 1:00 pm tip-off.