University of Maine
UMass Lowell
Men's Basketball Suffers Overtime Loss to UMass Lowell
2/11/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
BANGOR, Maine -- The University of Maine men's basketball team, which led by as many as 11 at one point, dropped a 108-95 overtime decision to visiting UMass Lowell on Thursday evening in a game which featured 20 lead changes.
Aaron Calixte led the Black Bears in scoring, posting his fifth double-digit scoring performance in six games, with 19 points. Issac Vann nearly tallied a double-double with 18 points and nine rebounds while Till Gloger chipped in 18 points off the bench. Shaun Lawton rounded out Maine's double-figure scoring leads with 13 points, three assists and three steals.
Maine went 33-for-72 (45.8 percent) in the game but struggled from long-range, hitting 5-of-20 from 3-point range. The Black Bears held a 47-38 advantage on the boards, including 16 on the offensive end.
UMass Lowell received 63 points off its bench, led by Matt Harris's game-high 33 on 7-of-11 from 3-point range. The River Hawks were solid in the first half, shooting 65.5% from the floor, including a 9-for-12 showing from beyond the arc.
With the game tied at 12 early on, Maine staged a 14-3 run to go on top by a score of 26-15. A layup from Gloger began the sprint before Maine would tally 12-unanswered over a two-minute period.
UMass Lowell had the quick answer, outscoring Maine 28-8 over the next eight minutes, to regain the lead with a nine point advantage.
Maine clipped the lead to six with a Calixte triple but the River Hawks closed the half on a 5-0 run to lead 54-43 at the break.
The River Hawk lead would stand at eight with 5:25 gone in the second half. Maine began to chip away, putting together a 10-1 run keyed on a 3-point by Lawton, coming all the way back to take a one point edge midway through the second half.
UMass Lowell answered, coming back to lead by five with 8:49 on the clock.
Maine battled back, eventually re-taking the lead after Gloger ripped down an offensive board and went back up strong for a bucket.
Back-and-forth action followed over the next four minutes until a pair of free throws by Lawton and a layup by Devine Eke put Maine up by three with 42-seconds to play.
The Black Bears fouled UMass Lowell with 24.0 on the clock. Jahad Thomas missed both free throws but an offensive rebound by Mark Cornelius regained possession for the River Hawks. Cornelius found Harris who knocked down one of his seven 3-pointers, tying the game with 20-seconds left and ultimately sending the game to overtime after a Black Bear miss.
The River Hawks came out strong in the overtime period, opening with a 14-0 run. Maine could only get the lead down to 10 the rest of the way, falling in the end by a final score of 108-95.
The Black Bears continue America East action on Sunday, Feb. 14 when they travel to Albany in search of a season sweep of the Great Danes. Tip is set for 2 p.m.
-UMaine-
