BOSTON - When Todd Jackson and his Maine teammates prepared for this hockey season, they thought about the disappointing end to another season.
That was 2002, when the Black Bears came within 52 seconds of winning the NCAA title. Tonight, they'll get another chance when they play Denver in the final.
"I don't think I'm over it yet," Jackson said. "It's definitely a motivating factor that has helped drive our team. During those summer workouts, you're thinking about those 52 seconds."
Maine led Minnesota 3-2 late in the 2002 final, but the Golden Gophers tied the score in the final minute of regulation and won 4-3 in overtime.
"We learned from that (loss) you never know what to expect," Maine coach Tim Whitehead said.
The Black Bears advanced with Thursday's 2-1 win over Boston College. Denver defeated Minnesota Duluth 5-3.
HOBEY BAKER AWARD: Minnesota Duluth forward Junior Lessard won the award as college hockey's top player. He led the nation with 30 goals.
USF candidate list grows
Four candidates have applied for USF's vacant athletic director position, raising the total to 10: Bob Byrnes, the AD at Manhattan; Lynne Mullen, president of The Focus Group; Tom Perry, senior associate AD at South Carolina; and Brad Alberts, vice president with the Texas Rangers.
Byrnes, a Manhattan graduate, has been the AD at Manhattan for 15 years. Perry has overseen academics and student services at South Carolina since 1999 after six years as an associate AD at Syracuse. Alberts is in charge of corporate sponsorship sales.
Baseball
FLORIDA STATE 6, MIAMI 5: Stephen Drew hit a three-run home run in the seventh inning for the host Seminoles. Florida State trailed 5-3 when Matt Sauls' one-out single started the rally. After Bryan Zech walked, Drew hit his sixth homer. The Seminoles (25-9) have won 10 of the past 13 against Miami (24-7).
S. CAROLINA 5, FLORIDA 4 (10): Landon Powell's 10th-inning homer lifted the host Gamecocks. Ben Harrison and Jeff Corsaletti homered for Florida (25-9). Michael Campbell and Brendan Winn hit home runs for USC (24-6).
EAST CAROLINA 6, USF 4: Brian Baisley and Devin Ivany hit homers for the visiting Bulls (23-9). Kyle Schmidt took his first loss since Feb. 27, allowing six runs to the Pirates (26-6) in five innings.
Beard wins Wooden
Duke's Alana Beard won the inaugural women's John R. Wooden Award, given to the top player, in Marina Del Rey, Calif. "She's not only the best player we've ever had, she's probably the best person," coach Gail Goestenkors said. Beard averaged 19.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists.
TWO ENTER DRAFT: Arizona sophomore Andre Iguodala, who averaged 12.9 points, and 8.4 rebounds, and Baylor forward Harvey Thomas, who averaged 15.6 and 5.5, will enter the NBA draft.
S. ILLINOIS: Former Illinois assistant Chris Lowery was hired.
- Staff writer Pete Young contributed to this report.
