WILLIMANTIC, Conn. – Two-time defending conference champion Eastern Connecticut State University never trailed, using a 15-3 run over two minutes midway through the first half en route to an 80-61 victory over the University of Southern Maine in the Little East Conference men's basketball opener for both teams Saturday afternoon at Francis E. Geissler Gymnasium.

Playing its first home game of the year, Eastern (5-2) extended its winning streak to four in handing Southern Maine (4-4) its third straight loss and third loss in three games on its opponent's court this year.

The Warriors shot 60 percent in building a 17-point, 44-27 lead by the break, and the Huskies never got closer than 14 in the second half. Junior center Brandon Kuczenski's (Naugatuck)  inside basket gave the hosts the lead for good eight minutes into the game and propelled the Warriors to their 15-3 run that gave them the momentum for good, 25-13, midway through the first half.

During Eastern's 15-3 run, sophomore guard Tarchee Brown (Rockville) completed a four-point play by sinking a free throw after draining a three-pointer, and sophomore guard Collin Jordan (Cheshire) came off the bench to contribute five points in the spurt with a three-point field goal and a layoff off his own steal.

Now averaging 10 three-point field goals in its last four games, Eastern connected on 9 of 22 from behind the arc, while the visitors missed ten of 13. Five different players contributed to Eastern's three-point barrage.

Brown led all players with 21 points and also grabbed four rebounds, with senior guard Trachone Preston (Enfield) adding 14 points, five assists and four rebounds and junior forward Hugh Lindo (Enfield) 12 points, nine rebounds and five blocked shots. In 21 minutes, Jordan chipped in seven points, five rebounds and six assists.

First-year senior guard Jose Nouchanthavong, who leads a balanced USM offense this year in scoring, led the Huskies with 16 points and five assists, but 12 of his points came in the second half with his team trailing by double digits. Junior forward Alencio Martin had 14 points and five rebounds for USM and junior guard Zach Leal added 13 points.

Eastern hosts Trinity College Tuesday at 6 p.m. in a non-conference game.