DANBURY, Conn. - Freshman Alyssa Virtue (Groton, Conn.) and sophomore Gabrielle Franks (Madison, Conn.) scored 11 and 10 points, respectively, but the Western Connecticut State University women's basketball team dropped a 60-51 decision to University of Southern Maine at Feldman Arena on Senior Day on Saturday.

Junior Ashley Rilley (Orangeburg, N.Y.) followed with nine points and gathered a game-high seven rebounds

Southern Maine, now 8-15 overall and 7-7 in the Little East Conference following today's regular-season finale, were led by Jackie Luckhardt (Londonderry, N.H.).  The graduate student scored a game-high 17 points including eight markers in the final period.

The Huskies, which led the entire way and as many as 19 points in the third quarter, got 10 points from freshman Maria Degifico (South Portland, Me.).  She was 4-of-5 from the field and 2-for-2 from the charity stripe.

WestConn's leading scorer on the season, Nicole Vivian (New Milford, Conn.) was held to just two points on 1-of-7 shooting from the field as the Huskies consistently double teamed her on Saturday.  She did dish out a team-high four assists, grabbed a pair of rebounds and tallied one block shot.

WestConn, now 7-17 overall and 2-13 in the league, drew within four points twice in the final stanza, the last time following Vivian's only bucket with 7:41 left in the game.

Luckhardt put the visitors back up by a dozen, 58-46, following a mid-range jumper with 4:40 remaining in the contest.  She finished with seven rebounds and seven assists for the winners.  

Victoria Harris (Altus, Ok.) also collected seven caroms for USM.

WestConn will host Plymouth State University in the LEC play-in game this Monday.  Game time is slated for 1 pm on President's Day.  The winner will face top seed Rhode Island College on Tuesday in Providence.

The Huskies jumped into the fourth seed following Saturday's victory and will play host to Keene State College on Tuesday, February 22 in the league quarterfinals.  Game time will be decided on Sunday.

GAME NOTE:  WestConn celebrated the careers of three seniors prior to the start of the game.  Sydney Gouveia returned to walk the red carpet after last making an appearance during the 2019-20 campaign.  This year's seniors, Katelyn Manning (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.) and Hannah Maghini (Bristol, Conn.) were honored at center court.