BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University men's tennis team edged visiting University of Southern Maine, 5-4, in a Little East Conference match on Tuesday afternoon at the Rosen Memorial Tennis Courts.

Bridgewater improves to 7-3 on the season and 3-1 in the Little East, while Southern Maine slips to 6-3 overall and 1-2 in conference play.

The Bears took two of three doubles matches and split the six singles flights to come away with the conference victory.  Sophomore Jesse Gotlib (Dartmouth, Mass.) posted a three-set decision at number four singles (6-4, 3-6, 6-1) to captures the Bears' fifth point of the afternoon and clinch the match.

Gotlib also teamed with freshman Sean Bleau (North Dighton, Mass.) for an 8-6 triumph at second doubles, while sophomore Cody Farrell (Scituate, Mass.) and junior Nicholas Desisto (Uxbridge, Mass.) added an 8-3 win at the third doubles flight. 

Trailing 2-1 after doubles play, Southern Maine received a 6-2, 6-2 straight set victory by sophomore Corey Dyke (Monmouth, Maine) at sixth singles to tie the match up.

BSU senior Mike Zagame (Uxbridge, Mass.) and USM freshman Thaddeus St. John (Weld, Maine) exchanged straight set decisions at the second and fifth flights, respectively, to keep the match even at 3-3.

Bridgewater freshman Wesley Esthimer (Franklin, Mass.) then battled back from a set down to post a 1-6, 6-2, 6-0 triumph at the top singles spot to regain the lead for the Bears.  Gotlib would secure the match with his win at number four.

Southern Maine freshman Scott Gagne (Lewiston, Maine) rounded out the scoring with a three set victory at the third flight, 6-7 (10-12), 6-3, 7-5.  Gagne also paired with junior Adam Whitman (New Castle, N.H.) for a 9-7 decision at first doubles. 

In upcoming action, Bridgewater entertains non-conference foe Clark University tomorrow afternoon at 3:30.  Southern Maine hosts Little East rival UMass Dartmouth on Saturday at noon.