Orono, ME – The University of Maine men's basketball team picked up their largest win over a conference opponent in over 20 years on Saturday as they defeated UMBC, 84-49.
 
The Black Bears got their offense going early and often as they buried five of their first six shots to stake themselves out to an early 12-8 lead heading into the first media timeout. Ja'Shonté Wright-McLeish buried a pair of threes during the run.
 
Maine kept up their intensity as they increased their early lead to 19-11 as the second media timeout was called. Milos Nenadic and Jaden Clayton connected on a pick and pop play to add to the Black Bear lead.
 
The Retrievers cut the Black Bear lead down to three before Kellen Tynes finished an and-one to get the Black Bears back up by six.
 
The Black Bears increased their lead of the first half off of a steal and fast break dunk by Kellen Tynes with 4:55 left in the half.
 
Maine went into the half riding their largest lead of the game, a 12-point advantage at 38-26. Ja'Shonté Wright-McLeish capped off the half with a jumper off of a feed by Milos Nenadic.
 
Wright-McLeish led all scorers at the half with eight points for the Black Bears.
 
Kellen Tynes had his hands all over the stat sheet as he had seven points, two rebounds, one assist and four steals.
 
The Black Bears continued to extend their lead as the second half began as the Black Bears scored the opening 10 points of the half to make it a 48-26 game and force a timeout by the Retrievers with 17:40 left in the second half.
 
Maine just kept scoring as the Black Bear lead ballooned to 30 points as the Black Bears went on a 20-2 run to begin the second half.
 
The Black Bears dominated the second half, leading to a decisive win over the Retrievers of UMBC on Saturday afternoon, 84-49. It was the Black Bears largest point differential in a win over a conference opponent since 1993.
 
Gedi Juozapaitis led the Black Bears in scoring on the afternoon as he finished with 22 points on eight of 12 shooting from the field, including four three-pointers.
 
Kellen Tynes was dominate on both sides of the ball as he finished with 14 points, five assists, two rebounds and five steals.
 
Peter Filipovity had a big day on the glass, leading to a double-double performance of 12 points and 10 rebounds.
 
Maine (10-13, 4-6 AE) stays at home as they take on the Vermont Catamounts on Wednesday, Feb. 8. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 P.M. at the Cross Insurance Center.
 
-UMaine-