BANGOR, Maine - A career-effort by Sergio El Darwich led Maine to their first America East victory of the season on Wednesday night, as the senior co-captain put up 36 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds in Maine's 104-98 overtime victory over UMass-Lowell at the Cross Insurance Center. 

Sergio El Darwich took over in the second half,  scoring 22 points over the final twenty minutes of regulation and five minutes of overtime to set a new career-high in points with 36 total (10-21 FG) while matching his career-high in assists (10) and rebounds (9). 

Maine outscored 18-12 in the overtime period to lock down the 104-98 victory, their first conference triumph of the season.

MAINE GAME NOTES

• El Darwich played 44 minutes on the evening, shooting 10-21 from the field, 4-9 from three, and 12-13 from the free-throw line. He committed just two turnovers on the day, both in the first half. 
• Andrew Fleming collected 14 points on the evening, along with three steals and a block in 42 minutes.
• Freshman Precious Okoh played big minutes down the stretch, recording 14 points on 5-6 shooting in 14 minutes, all in the second half and overtime. 
• Maine shot 52.3% from the field on the night, their third-best effort of the season, and 44.4% from three, their best mark so far.
• They also earned 33 free throws, hitting 25 of them, their highest volume night this year. 
• The bench was huge for the Black Bears, outpacing the Riverhawk reserves by a 33-15 mark in scoring.

UP NEXT

• Maine stays right at home for their next two matchups, first hosting Binghamton on Sunday at 2:00 PM, followed by a matchup with Vermont on Wednesday at 7:00 PM.