BANGOR, Maine – The Maine Black Bears' offense hit on on all cylinders from the opening tip, using a 23-5 run early to down Maine Presque Isle 75-55, on Tuesday night at the Cross Insurance Center. The Black Bears were led offensively by Aaron Calixte (15 points), Vernon Lowndes Jr. (14 points) and Ilker Er (10 points), who all reached double-figures in scoring in the win.
 
"We're happy with the result," said head coach Bob Walsh. "I thought we came out and played with great energy and great effort, along with the right mentality. We got a substantial lead that came pretty easy for us. We let our guard down a little bit, and that's a sign of a team that is young and growing and is not used to having it as easy as it was for the first 10 minutes."
 
Calixte continued his hot streak on Tuesday night, as the redshirt junior shot an efficient 6-of-7 from the field, including a perfect 3-for-3 from long distance. The Stoughton, Mass. native led the Black Bears in scoring for the fifth time in the last seven games. He also tallied recorded three assists and turned over the ball just once in 21 minutes played.
 
Lowndes Jr. connected on four of his seven field goal opportunities, and drilled five of six free throws from the line. He added five boards, a block, and a steal in 23 minutes. Along with his 10 points, Er contributed six rebounds and two assists, while freshman Miks Antoms brought down a season-high nine rebounds.
 
The Black Bears (2-7) never trailed, jumping out the gate on the impressive 23-5 run against the Owls (3-4) to take an 18-point lead with 12:28 left in the first half. UMPI fought back from the early deficit, cutting the Maine's lead back to 23-12 following a 5-0 run, but the Black Bears immediately followed on a 15-8 run to build a 40-20 halftime advantage. Maine shot well from distance early, converting seven of its first 10 shots from 3-point range to build an early lead.
 
The Black Bears shot 53.3 percent (16-30) from the field in the first 20 minutes, including 8-of-17 from 3-point land. Maine held UMPI to just 7-for-26 (26.9 percent) on field goal attempts in the first half.
 
Following the halftime intermission, UMPI came out strong with an 11-0 run in the first three minutes to cut the Black Bears' lead to just nine at 40-31. Maine settled down, ensuing on a 10-1 run to build its lead back to 20 at 52-32 over the Owls. The Black Bears extended its lead to as high as 25 points at 62-37, and finished the game with a 75-55 victory.
 
The Owls were led in scoring by Kevin Collins, who scored a game-high 18 points. Maurice Harris added 14 points for UMPI.
 
Maine continues its season-long three game home stand this Friday, when the Black Bears welcome Ivy League foe Dartmouth to the Cross Insurance Center. Tip-Off is set for 7:00 p.m. in Bangor.
 
-UMaine-