Wildcats Edge Maine Men's Hoops During Rivalry Week

Wednesday, January 28

7 pm

University of Maine

New Hampshire

Wildcats Edge Maine Men's Hoops During Rivalry Week

1/28/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Bangor, Maine — The University of Maine men's basketball team (2-19, 1-7 America East), who at one point trailed by 16 points, were able to fight all the way back to take a slim lead over New Hampshire (12-9, 5-3 AE) in the second half. However, it was unable to hold on, dropping a 63-58 decision to the Wildcats.

Kevin Little led all scorers with his second-straight game scoring over 20 points as the freshman poured in 22 points while adding six rebounds. Shaun Lawton added 12 points while Till Gloger tallied eight points and eight rebounds.

Jaleen Smith paced the Wildcat attack with 14 points while Tanner Leissner added a double-double with 11 points and 12 boards.

The Black Bears finished the game shooting 19-for-57 (33.3 percent) from the floor, hitting 5-of-18 from 3-point range.

The Wildcats were quick out of the gate as they rattled off nine-straight points, leading to an early 13-3 advantage.

New Hampshire continued to keep the pressure on, building its lead up to 19-3 with 8:26 left in the first half.

Maine began to find its stride as a jumper from Valjarevic put an end to the New Hampshire run and started a 17-4 Maine sprint.

Little's free throw cut the lead back down to 10 before his 3-pointer chipped the Wildcats' advantage back to single digits, 21-14, with 4:26 to play in the half.

The Black Bears kept charging, ending the half on a 6-0 run to bring them all the way within three, 23-20, at the break.

New Hampshire opened the second half on an 8-3 run as it was able to build its lead out to 31-23.

Maine settled down out of a timeout as it staged an 11-2 run, keyed by a 3-pointer from Aaron Calixte and a pair from Troy Reid-Knight. A jumper from Little closed the run, giving Maine its first lead of the contest, 34-33, with 12:32 left.

New Hampshire answered the Maine rush with an 11-0 surge to retake a 44-34 advantage.

Maine refused to go down, keeping the pressure on and cutting the lead back down to six on a dunk from Shaun Lawton.

Another Wildcat run extended its lead out to 12 with 3:56 on the clock.

Maine continued to claw its way back into the game, using an 8-2 run capped on another dunk from Lawton to once again return the New Hampshire lead to just six.

The Black Bears kept charging, using defensive strategies and clutch fastbreak plays from Little to chip the lead all the way down to just a pair.

The Wildcats hit the front end of a two-shot free throw try before Reid-Knight snatched a rebound off a missed attempt from the stripe. The Black Bears pushed the ball down the court as Little drove the lane and kicked a pass out to Lawton. Lawton's 3-point attempt to tie the game with just seconds remaining fell short.

New Hampshire hit 4-of-4 free throws down the stretch to secure a 63-58 victory.

Maine closes its two-game homestand when it hosts UAlbany on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 2 p.m.