University of Maine
UMass Lowell
Eke's 25 Points Lifts Men's Basketball over UMass Lowell, 95-81
1/13/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
LOWELL, Mass. -- Freshman Devine Eke tallied 25 points and added six rebounds as the University of Maine men's basketball team picked up its first America East victory of the season, defeating UMass Lowell 95-81 on Wednesday morning.
Eke, who finished 10-of-13 from the floor (76.9%) notched his second 20+ scoring output of the season. Kevin Little finished in double-digits for his sixth-straight game, tallying 18 points, while Shaun Lawton added a personal season-high of 17, hitting 4-of-5 from beyond the arc.
Maine finished with 13 makes from 3-point range and dominated on the boards, pulling down 41 rebounds to UMass Lowell's 27. The Black Bears controlled most of the game, holding the advantage for 34:51 and at one time leading by 20.
The River Hawks led early but would only hold on for 4:01, never able to re-take the lead as the Black Bears took over.
Maine built its lead out to three with 8:13 to play in the opening half before putting together an 8-0 run, capped on Eke's and-one make to put the Black Bears on top by double-digits, 35-24.
UMass Lowell responded, staging a 14-6 run to cut the lead all the way down to three with 1:13 on the clock.
However, the Black Bears ended the first half strong with a 7-0 run as Lawton's three at the buzzer sent Maine into the locker room leading 48-38.
The River Hawks rallied early in the second half, chipping away until Maine's lead was down to just one.
Maine locked in and put the game away, breaking out a 22-2 run as back-to-back 3-pointers from Lawton gave Maine a 20 point cushion with 6:59 left.
The Black Bear lead never dropped under 11 the rest of the way as Maine captured its first America East victory of the season, 95-81.
Maine returns home on Friday as it hosts the defending league champion Albany Great Danes in a noon matinee.
-UMaine-
