Box Score Bangor, Maine -- Freshman Andrew Fleming poured in a career-high 20 points but it was not enough as the University of Maine men's basketball team dropped an 82-61 decision to visiting Central Connecticut State University at the Cross Insurance Center on Wednesday evening.

Fleming added eight rebounds to his career night after finishing 8-for-13 from the floor and 4-for-7 from the free throw line. Junior Ilker Er tallied double-digits for the second-straight showing, finishing with 11 points and four boards.

Statistically, Maine won the battle inside, finishing with a 38-32 advantage on the boards and a 38-32 scoring mark in the paint. However, CCSU forced 16 Maine turnovers and completed action with a 19-9 edge in points off from the Black Bears' mishaps.

For the game, the Blue Devils went 33-for-56 from the floor (58.9 percent), including knocking down 10-of-14 from beyond the arc. Maine finished action 25-for-64 in the field and struggled from long-range (4-for-19), including a 1-for-8 showing in the second half.

The Blue Devils took advantage of a great first half, shooting 61.5 percent from the floor to jump out to a 41-24 lead at the break.

Back and forth action was featured over the opening seven minutes of action. Ryan Bernstein's jumper gave Maine a short two-point edge before the Blue Devils snatched the lead on a 4-0 run. The third tie of the game came just over six minutes in when Fleming finished a layup on a fast break feed from Jaquan McKennon.

Back-to-back 3-pointers by the Blue Devils started a 15-3 run, ending with the visitors on top, 30-18 with just over eight minutes left in the first half.

Maine responded with a triple from Er before a free throw by Wes Myers brought the Black Bears within eight.

CCSU closed the half on an 11-2 run to carry a 41-24 lead into the break.

Maine chipped the deficit down to 12 with 13 minutes to play after putting together a 9-3 run, keyed by four points from Marko Pirovic before an impressive putback slam by Fleming.

However, the Black Bears failed to close the gap any further. CCSU elevated the spread to its largest advantage of the game, 78-55, with 2:30 to play before closing out an 82-61 victory.

Maine is back in action on Saturday when it travels to Cameron Indoor to take on No. 5 Duke. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. on ESPN2.

-UMaine-