BANGOR, Maine – In the America East home opener, the University of Maine could not battle back from a 17-point halftime deficit, falling to Vermont 73-49 at the Cross Insurance Center on Wednesday night.
 
Sergio El Darwich poured in a game-high 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds. The junior has now reached double-figures in scoring five-consecutive games.

Isaiah White also reached double-figures, totaling 10 points and five rebounds while turning the ball over just twice in 31 minutes played. Andrew Fleming stuffed the stat sheet with nine points, six rebounds, five assists and two blocks.
 
The two teams went back-and-forth to start the contest, as Maine quickly extinguished a 11-3 Vermont lead, scoring six consecutive points on treys from Fleming and Terion Moss to make it a 11-9 contest. The Catamounts took a six-point lead at 15-9, but a White triple made it a three-point game with 12:30 left in the first half. The Catamounts finished the half strong, reeling a 20-7 run to close the half with a 35-18 advantage.
 
After the break, a Vincent Eze layup brought the Vermont lead down to 15 points, but a 14-6 run from the Catamounts extended its lead to 23 points at 49-26 with 14:16 remaining. Vermont held at least a 22 point lead the rest of the way, taking home a 73-49 victory.
 
Maine held its own in the rebounding column with the America East preseason favorite, winning the offensive boards by an 11-2 mark, with both squads pulling down 32 total rebounds.

Both teams were also even in assists, with 15 dishes each. The Catamounts held large advantages in shooting percentage (.545 to .333), while getting to the charity-stripe four times as often than the Black Bears (20-24 FT to 3-8 FT).
 
America East Preseason Player of the Year Anthony Lamb was held to just 11 points – his second-lowest output of the season. He was averaging 21.5 points entering the game. Robin Duncan also contributed 11 points for the Catamounts, as seven other players recorded between six to nine points for Vermont.
 
Maine returns to action Saturday, when Maine embarks to the Empire State to play UAlbany. The opening tip against the Great Danes is slated for 3:00 p.m at SEFCU Arena.
 
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