Orono, Maine -- The University of Maine football team trimmed a 16-0 deficit to 16-10 in the third quarter but was unable to close the gap further as it fell to Stony Brook, 22-17, on Saturday afternoon at Alfond Stadium.

The loss slips Maine to 4-5 overall and 3-4 in the Colonial Athletic Assocation while Stony Brook improves to 4-5, 3-3 in league play.

Maine's defense, led by Ray Miller's game-high 12 tackles including 2.5 for loss, limited Stony Brook to 299 yards of offense and 6-of-17 on third down while forcing one turnover on Shakur Smalls' first career interception. Miller, who matched his career-high with 12 stops and his fourth double-digit tackling total of the season, was joined in double-figure stop totals by Khairi Manns who registered 10 tackles on the day.

The Black Bears went over 100 yards rushing for the fifth time this season with 114 yards led by Freddie Brock's 82 yards on 10 carries, including a game-high 69 yard rush. Brock also tallied a touchdown on an 11-yard reception. Derek Robertson finished the afternoon 17-for-32 for 160 yards and two touchdowns to go along with two interceptions with Devin Young leading the receivers with five catches for 47 yards. Jacob Hennie added a receiving touchdown, his first of the season.

Stony Brook controlled the game in the first half, stretching its lead to 16-0 with 9:59 left in the second quarter.

On their first drive, the Seawolves offense, led by quarterback Tyquell Fields, converted on three third downs to lengthen a long opening drive. Maine's defense was able to hold the Seawolves to a field goal, as Angelo Gugielmello opened the scoring with a 38-yard kick midway through the first quarter.

After Maine was forced to punt on its first possession, Stony Brook carried the ball down to the Maine 14. However, Maine's defense would again stand firm, holding the Seawolves to another field goal with Gugielmello this time hitting from 37 yards.

Stony Brook would take advantage of a Maine fumble and turn it into a touchdown when Ty Son Lawton rushed in from 9 yards out, giving the Seawolves a 13-0 advantage early in the second.

A three-and-out from Maine led to Guglielmello's third first goal of the half, this one from 30-yards, as Stony Brook found itself with a 16-0 lead with 9:59 remaining in the second quarter.

Following another three-and-out by Maine, Stony Brook began marching again, finding itself at the Maine 30. Maine's defense would again come up big as Smalls picked off Stony Brook quarterback Tyquell Fields in the end zone for a touchback.

Maine wasted no time taking advantage of the turnover as Brock took the first play of the possession 69-yards on the ground down to the Stony Brook 11. Two plays later Robertson rolled out on a bootleg and found Brock on the edge for Maine's first score of the day. Jonny Messina's extra point would cut Stony Brook's lead to 16-7 with 3:28 left in the half.

The Black Bears would get on the scoreboard first in the second half. Robertson and the offense took Maine's second drive of the third quarter down to the Stony Brook 19 where Messina would connect a 36 yard field goal, trimming the deficit to 16-10.

After forcing a three-and-out, Maine would look to add to its 10-unanswered points. Robertson connected on four of five passes, moving Maine down to the Stony Brook 21. However, Robertson's sixth pass attempt on the drive would be intercepted in the end zone and taken out for a touchdown with 1:41 left in the third quarter.

Maine's defense forced a three-and-out but the Black Bears would give it right back after being stopped short on a fourth and one attempt.

The Seawolves rallied on the next possession as Fields connected with Lawson on a play-fake for a nine yard touchdown.. Gugielmello's kick would be wide of the uprights, as Stony Brook's lead increased to 22-10 with 10:47 left in the fourth quarter.

Two drives later for Maine, Robertson picked apart the defense by making big completions to Shawn Bowman, Young twice, and Montigo Moss. On 2nd and 10 from the Stony Brook 10-yard line, Robertson connected with Hennie streaking across on a slant for the touchdown. Messina connected on his second extra point of the day, and the Black Bears were right back in it, down by five with just under four minutes left in the contest.

The Black Hole defense forced a Stony Brook punt as Maine's offense took the field at the Maine 44, trailing by five, with 2:30 on the clock. However, Robertson was intercepted on the first play of the possession, this time by Tyler King.

Stony Brook took over and ultimately was able to run out the clock, escaping with a 22-17 victory.

Maine returns to action on Saturday, Nov. 13 when it travels to take on UMass at noon.

-UMaine-