BURLINGTON, Vermont - The Black Bears and Catamounts faced off for the second time this season as they opened up the second half of conference play in Burlington, with the Catamounts remaining undefeated in conference as they took down Maine 74-53.

Ilia Stojiljkovic led all Maine scorers with 13 points, shooting 4-5 from the free-throw line, he also had three rebounds, two assists, and a block.

Andrew Fleming tallied 12 points, two rebounds, and went a perfect 4-4 from the free-throw line, while Wes Myers finished with 10 points, and four rebounds. Dennis Ashley provided a first-half spark as he shot 3-3 from behind the arc for nine points.

Andrew Fleming started things off for Maine getting the first basket of the game and Maine's first three baskets as Maine and Vermont traded baskets in the early going. With just under 10 minutes to go in the first half, Maine took the lead on the first of Dennis Ashley's three-point shots, giving Maine a 19-17 lead with 9:44 remaining. After a Vermont three to re-take the lead, Ashley would hit another three to put Maine back up by two, 22-20. After another answer from Vermont by way of another three would reclaim the lead for Vermont, but an Ilia Stojiljkovic layup would once again give Maine the lead 24-23 with 8:32 to go.

With 7:22 remaining the Black Bears found themselves tied up at 25-all, with Andrew Fleming at the line. His first free-throw tied it and his second retook the lead for Maine, 26-25. Marko Pirovic would hit another free throw to extend the lead to two points. Vermont would answer back with a 10-0 with four minutes to go in the first half, as they would eventually end the half with a seven point lead, 39-32.

Vermont took control early in the second half, leading by 12 points two minutes into the half. Andrew Fleming, who scored 10 points in the first half was held to just two points in the second half by the Vermont defense, while Wes Myers scored eight of his 10 points in the second half, with Stojiljkovic scoring seven of his 13. The Catamounts would slowly extend their lead over the Black Bears over the final minutes of the half, eventually leading 21, beating Maine 74-53.


The Black Bears return home to the Cross Center in Bangor for two straight games, Saturday afternoon, February 4th against UMBC at 1pm, and Monday, February 6th against Hartford at 7pm. For tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com or the Cross Center Box Office.

-UMaine-