University of Maine
Army
Army Outlasts Maine Men's Basketball in 72-69 Overtime Thriller
12/21/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
WEST POINT, N.Y. – The University of Maine men's basketball team held a lead twice in a decisive overtime period during a pre-Christmas showdown, but it wasn't enough as Army edged the Black Bears 72-69, at Christl arena, Sunday afternoon. The loss drops Maine to 1-9 on the year while Army improves to 8-2.
The Black Bears had a chance to defeat the Black Knights for the first time in program history with 1:40 left in the game, following a Gloger layup as Maine led, 60-58, but Army was able to claw back and force the extra frame.
Zarko Valjarevic posted his second-straight game with over 20 points as he led the team with 22 and also chipped in six rebounds and three steals. This is the first time in his career that he has posted back-to-back 20 point games.
Maine also had Aaron Calixte and Till Gloger register double-figures. Calixte poured in 11 points along with three rebounds and two assists while Gloger tallied 10 points to go along with four rebounds and two assists.
Army's Kyle Wilson, which poured in 30 points against USC last week, came into the contest boasting a 22 point average but was knocked out of the game with an injury for the second half and managed just four points in the victory. Tanner Plomb paced the Army attack securing a dominant double-double as he scored 20 points and 13 rebounds. He also registered two assists, including a key helper in overtime.
Kevin Ferguson was the only other player to register double-figures as he scored 10 with eight boards.
The Black Bear offense struggled throughout the contest as they finished the game with a mark of 33 percent from the field (19-of-56). Army shook off ice-cold shooting in the first frame to finish the contest with a 44 percent mark from the floor hitting 26-of-58.
Maine's defensive scheme proved troublesome for the Black Knights as the squad committed 22 turnovers while Maine limited its giveaways to just 16. Army did win the battle of the glass however as the squad took down 43 rebounds to Maine's 33.
The Black Bears opened the game with stifling defense as the squad forced four turnovers in the first four minutes of the game, taking a 6-2 lead into the first media timeout.
Army fought back tying the game at the 13:20 mark of the first half as Wilson hit a trey that made it 8-8.
The two teams traded punches through the half but Army gained traction in its offensive game as the Black Knights built its lead to its largest of the half, capped by a Ferguson layup to make it 21-14.
The Black Bears didn't relent keeping it close throughout the rest of the half. With 4:17 left in the frame, a Milton Washington free throw make gave Army a seven point lead, 25-18 but Maine went on a 11-4 run to close out the half with a tied 29-29 score.
The second frame was much of the same with both teams jockeying for the lead and it didn't take long for Maine to retake the advantage as Kevin Little drained a 3-pointer to make it 40-37 with 12:37 remaining.
Christian Ejiga gave Maine its largest lead of the half at the 7:53 mark as he spun around in the paint and drained a bucket.
With the teams going back and forth on the scoreboard, Maine entered the final two minutes controlling its own destiny with a two-point lead with 1:49 left in the half. Plomb ended the upset bid with 1:07 left in the half as he tallied a jumper to send it to overtime.
The Black Bears struggled from the floor in the final frame, going 1-of-4 and 7-of-10 from the stripe, scoring just nine points in the five-minute frame as Army outlasted Maine, 72-69.
The Black Bears now head into Christmas break but will be back on the road on Dec. 27 as the squad will depart on a two-game road swing facing Seton Hall on Dec. 27 and Quinnipiac on Dec. 29.
