University of Maine
Vermont
Men's Hoops Falls Late at Vermont
2/3/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
BURLINGTON, Vt. -- The University of Maine men's basketball team matched Vermont for much of the game, tying the score with 11:25 to play, but could not maintain its level of play down the stretch, falling to the Catamounts 85-68 on Wednesday evening.
Maine falls to 8-14 and 4-5 in the America East while Vermont climbs to 14-10, 6-3 in the league.
Aaron Calixte finished in double-figures for the second time in three games, leading the Black Bears with 15 points to go along with five assists. Devine Eke was efficient from the floor once again as the league's top field goal shooter went 6-for-8, tallying 14 points and eight boards. Reigning America East Rookie of the Week Issac Vann finished with 12 points.
Maine hit 11-of-22 from 3-point range, 9-of-11 from the free throw line and ended the game at 41.4 percent from the field.
The difference was inside where Vermont held a 42-23 advantage on the boards, outscoring Maine 56-20 in the paint and totaling 23 second chance points.
The Catamounts led early, building a seven point edge with 8:09 to play in the first half.
Maine began its charge as Vann's flush jump started a 7-0 run, capped by a triple by the freshman, to knot the game at 25-25.
The Black Bears took their first lead of the contest with 4:52 left in the half on a 3-pointer from Calixte. Vermont answered, regaining a 33-30 lead at the break.
With Vermont leading by four early in the second half, Vann put together a 5-0 run by himself, putting the Black Bears back on top by one.
Maine kept the attack on, taking its largest lead of the game, 45-41, when Eke's short jumper gave it four-point edge with 15:24 to play.
Vermont battled back, taking a two point edge before Calixte tied the game for the eighth time with 11:25 remaining.
The Catamounts distance themselves from Maine with a 14-0 run over the next three minutes, swelling the lead out to 63-49.
The Black Bears were unable to get any closer than 12 the rest of the way, falling at Vermont 85-68.
Maine is back in action on Saturday, Feb. 6 when it hosts UMBC at the Portland Expo. Tickets for the game are just $5 and can be purchased at GoBlackBears.com or by calling the UMaine ticket office at 207-581-BEAR.
-UMaine-
