Orono, ME – The University of Maine men's basketball team clinched a spot in the America East Tournament as they defeated the Great Danes of UAlbany Saturday afternoon, 74-72.
 
Kellen Tynes got the Black Bears going early as he knocked down the first bucket of the contest, a mid-range jumper from the top of the key.
 
After the Great Danes tied the contest at 4-4, both sides began trading buckets throughout the opening five minutes, with the Black Bears coming away with a narrow one-point lead at the first media timeout.
 
Ata Turgut got the Black Bears to a six-point lead as he made a layup at 9:53, but then it was all Great Danes for the next 3:26 as they took a three-point lead at 23-20.
 
The Black Bears followed the Great Danes run by taking total control of the final 5:12 seconds of the first half. Maine went on a 16-3 run to end the first half, leading to a 10-point lead at halftime, 36-26.
 
Kellen Tynes led all scorers at the half with 11 points. He also had four steals, three rebounds and a pair of assists. His first half steals moved him into second all-time in UMaine program history.
 
Ja'Shonté Wright-McLeish turned in a solid first half as he 10 points on four of seven shooting, including a pair of three-pointers.
 
Jonathan Beagle led the Great Danes in scoring in the first half as he also had 11 points.
 
The Black Bears came out in the second half and slowly but surely pushed their lead out to its largest point on the afternoon, a 17-point advantage at 12:15 following a Peter Filipovity layup.
 
The Great Danes worked the lead down to just three points as they slowly chipped away throughout the back half of the second half of play.
 
 Following some big defensive stands by the Black Bears, Maine was able to hold onto their lead and come away with the victory, 74-72 on the afternoon.
 
Kellen Tynes had a huge game for the Black Bears as he had 23 points, seven steals, six rebounds, four assists and one block.
 
Gedi Juozapaitis chipped in with 17 points in the winning effort.
 
Jaden Clayton finished with a game-high six assists.
 
Maine (11-15, 5-8 AE) clinched a spot in the America East Tournament with the victory over the Great Danes. The Black Bears next matchup will come on Wednesday, Feb. 22 as they travel to New Hampshire. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 P.M.
 
-UMaine-