University of Maine
UMBC
Men's Basketball Nipped by UMBC, 83-79
2/6/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
PORTLAND, Maine -- The University of Maine men's basketball team dropped an 83-79 decision in neutral site action at the Portland Expo to UMBC on Saturday afternoon.
Aaron Calixte led Maine with 18 points and six assists, his third time in four games producing a double-digit scoring effort. Devine Eke added 13 points, on 6-of-7 shooting, four blocks and four steals. Kevin Little added 13 points while Issac Vann hit 8-of-8 from the free throw line, finishing with 12.
UMBC's Jairus Lyles went 14-for-19 from the floor, leading all scorers with 37 points.
Maine finished 27-of-64 from the floor (42.2%) but hit just 6-of-23 from beyond the arc. The Black Bears matched a season-high by forcing 24 turnovers by UMBC overcame the mishaps with a high shooting percentage. The Retrievers knocked down 66.7% of their shots in the first half and finished the contest 33-for-55 (60.0%). Maine was outrebounded 43-25.
UMBC began the game with a 11-2 run, jumping out to a nine point lead with 4:33 gone in the first half.
Maine, trailing by eight midway through the half, put together a 14-5 run, capped on a 3-pointer in transition by Ilija Stojiljkovic, to take its first lead of the game with 8:40 remaining.
The Retrievers battled back to take a four point edge two minutes later. Maine kept the advantage tight and soon tied the the game back up after Devine Eke's fastbreak dunk. Eke was fouled on the play and knotted the score with a free throw.
UMBC ended the the half on a 7-2 run to carry a 44-39 lead into the break.
Maine settled out of the half and cut the lead to one as Shaun Lawton's fastbreak lay-in ended a 6-2 run.
The UMBC lead grew back to five before Maine once again responded and was able to re-take the lead on a pair of free throws by Vann with 11:40 to play.
The teams traded leads over the next three minutes before a layup by Calixte tied the game for a seventh time.
UMBC began to distance itself, building a four point lead four minutes later. A 6-0 run shortly later gave the Retrievers their largest lead of the game, 76-68, with 2:11 remaining.
Maine kept charging and cut the lead back down to three on a triple by Little. However, it would prove to be too late as UMBC hung on for an 83-79 victory.
Maine is back in action on Monday, Feb. 8 when it travels to take on New Hampshire at 7 p.m.
-UMaine-
