LOWELL, Mass. – A monster offensive performance from Andrew Fleming along with a huge second-half scoring spree led the Maine Black Bears past the UMass Lowell River Hawks by a score of 78-59 on Wednesday night at the Tsongas Center.
 
Fleming tied an America East record of 18 field goals made, on just 20 field goals attempted, registering a total of 38 points. The Norway, Maine native's 38 points are the most by a Black Bear since Errick Greene registered 45 points (15-27 FG, 2-6 3PT, 13-14 FT) on Dec. 11, 2001 against Norfolk State. The two games have a time span between of 17 years, one month and 19 days, or 6,259 days. Assistant Coach Kevin Reed '07 got close to the mark with a 36-point performance against Harvard on Dec. 12, 2003.
 
Fleming tied the America East record for field goals in a game with fellow Black Bear Nate Fox, who set the record on Dec. 31, 1998 against Sacred Heart, where he made 18-of-19 field goal attempts for 37 points. Also tied for the conference field goal record is Jameel Warney of Stony Brook (18 FG vs. Vermont, 3/12/16) and Taylor Coppenrath of Vermont (18 FG vs. Northeastern, 1/7/04).
 
According to ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) Fleming became the first player in the last 20 seasons to shoot 90 percent from the field on at least 20 field goal attempts.
 

Andrew Fleming scores 38 points on 18-20 shooting for Maine.

In the last 20 seasons, there have been more than 13,000 instances of a player attempting at least 20 shots in a game.

Fleming is the first to shoot 90 percent. pic.twitter.com/fdFFfdQAhH

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 31, 2019

The junior also reached 500 career rebounds in the contest, pulling down eight boards, as he became the 30^th Black Bear to achieve the feat. He also added four steals in the contest.
 
Isaiah White reached double-figures for the 13^th consecutive game with 10 points. Terion Moss neared a double-double with nine points scored, while collecting seven rebounds.
 
With the score tied at 13-13, the Black Bears (4-18, 2-5 AE) slowly built a solid lead, building up a 10-point halftime score of 37-27 over the River Hawks (12-10, 4-3 AE). Fleming had 20 points after the first 20 minutes, sinking 10-of-11 attempts from the floor.
 
UML came out in the second half strong, slicing the Maine lead to just three points at 39-36. The Black Bear defense responded strong after the run, shutting down the River Hawk offense completely by not allowing a single point over the next 9:51 of game clock. The Black Bears took control by scoring 23 consecutive points, taking a 62-36 advantage, it's biggest lead of the game. Fleming scored 10 in the run, while Sergio El Darwich added four, Terion Moss totaled three points, and White and Vilgot Larsson notched two over the scoring spree.
  
The River Hawks outscored Maine 23-16, the rest of the way, but the Black Bears cruised their way to its fourth win of the season and second in America East play with the 78-59 victory.
 
UML was previously 7-1 on their home court entering the game and riding a four-game America East winning streak. Maine was previously 1-13 on the road before today. The win snapped a three-game losing streak to UMass Lowell.
 
Christian Lutete poured in 26 points for the River Hawks on 10-of-15 shooting, while Darius Henderson (12 pts.) and Josh Gantz (10 pts.) also reached double-figures for UML.
 
Maine battles New Hampshire this Sunday at the Cross Insurance Center. The Border Battle opening tip is set for 1:00 p.m. in Bangor. For tickets, head to the Cross Insurance Center box office, or visit to ticketmaster.com.
 
-UMaine-