CATONSVILLE, Md. – Despite a very strong first half, the University of Maine men's basketball team could not hold on to a 12-point halftime lead, falling to UMBC, 61-52, at the UMBC Events Center in the America East Conference opener on Saturday.
 
Andrew Fleming led all scorers with 18 points (7-13 FG), in a double-double performance (10 reb.). He dished a game-high five assists, while also earning a steal in 38 minutes played.

For the fourth consecutive game, Sergio El Darwich reached double-figures in scoring, tallying 12 points (4-9 FG, 2-4 3PT), while earning three rebounds and two steals. Playing just outside his hometown of Ellicott City, Isaiah White recorded 11 points (4-9 FG, 3-7 3PT) while grabbing a season-high seven rebounds. He now has 11 double-figure scoring outputs in his last 12 games.
 
After trading baskets to start the game, Maine built six-points leads at 14-8 and 16-10 following a Fleming layup and two made free throws from Miks Antoms. After a UMBC layup, Maine ensued on a 8-2 run to take a 10-point advantage a 24-14 3:42 left. UMBC added a trey and two free throws made, but the Black Bears ended the half, with a 12-point lead at 31-19 after a triple from White and a layup by El Darwich. Maine shot 50 percent (12-24 FG, 5-12 3PT) from the floor in the first half, while UMBC only put 28 percent (7-25 FG, 2-8 3PT) of its field goals through the net.
 
After the halftime intermission, Maine took game-high 13-point leads at 35-22 and 37-24. The Retrievers responded with 16-4 run, to whittle Maine's advantage to just one point at 41-40 with 13:17 left. A White layup put Maine back up by three points, before UMBC tied the contest on a hoop and a harm at 43-43. UMBC took a lead at 46-43, but Fleming earned an and-one layup to tie the contest back up at 46-46 with 9:18 remaining.
 
Fleming would make two more free throw opportunities to give Maine back the lead at 48-46, but UMBC regained its lead on a trey. Maine cut its deficit to one point, twice at 51-50 and 53-52, but the Retrievers held the Black Bears scoreless the final 5:44, finishing the game on an 8-0 sprint to claim a 61-52 victory in the America East opener.
 
The Black Bears led in the rebounding column by a 34-22 mark, winning the boards for the second-consecutive game.
 
Three Retrievers reached double-figures, led by Brandon Horvath's 13 points. Daniel Akin registered 12 points, while Joe Sherburne totaled 10 points. Akin added eight boards to lead the team.
 
The Black Bears return home to Vermont for the first time in 2019 on Wednesday, when Maine takes on America East preseason favorite Vermont at the Cross Insurance Center. The opening tip between the Black Bears and Catamounts is set for 7:00 p.m. For tickets, visit the Cross Insurance Center box office or head to ticketmaster.com.
 
-UMaine-