BOSTON (AP) – Jose Juan Barea scored 32 points as Northeastern clinched the No. 3 seed in next weekend’s America East tournament by beating Maine, 99-89, Thursday night.

With the win, Northeastern (18-10, 12-5) swept the two-game season series with the Black Bears. Mark Flavin led Maine (17-9, 11-6) with 21 points and eight rebounds.

Barea sparked a 19-5 Northeastern run late in the second half by hitting a deep 3-pointer to pull the Huskies within one, 78-77, with 7:12 remaining.

The Huskies then took the lead for good, 79-78, when Marcus Barnes followed his own steal with a fast-break dunk with 6:29 remaining.

Barea scored 20 first-half points as Northeastern cruised to a 33-21 lead.

Javorie Wilson had 18 points, while Sylrbin Robinson and Bennet Davis each had 17 for the Huskies, who set a season high for points scored.

Joe Campbell sparked a 24-6 Maine run in the first half that erased a 12-point Northeastern lead. Campbell scored nine points during that span, including a 3-point play on a layup and foul shot to give the Black Bears their biggest lead, 45-39, with 3:25 left in the first half.

The teams were tied 50-50 at halftime.

AP-ES-02-26-04 2202EST