Orono, ME - The University of Maine defeated the River Hawks of UMass Lowell to clinch the #6 seed in the America East Tournament on Tuesday night by a final score of 71-65.

Maine jumped out to an early 8-0 lead as they scored the opening four buckets, three of which came from Peter Filipovity.

The Black Bears were able to get up to a double-digit lead of 30-20 before UMass Lowell cut the deficit down to four entering halftime.

Peter Filipovity had a game-high 14 points in the first half.

Quion Burns had 11 points and eight rebounds off the bench for Maine.

Jaden Clayton had four assists and three steals in the half.

Maine pushed their lead back to 10 early in the second half on two separate possessions before UMass Lowell tied the contest up at 47-47 with 10:15 remaining.

The two sides began trading buckets down the stretch before Maine pulled ahead for good on a Ja'Shonté Wright-McLeish three-pointer with 1:21 remaining in the contest.

Maine came with the victory at 71-65.

Filipovity was the story of the night as he scored a career-high 27 points to go along with seven rebounds.

Burns finished with his first double-double as a Black Bear as he had 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Clayton finished with a stat-stuffing line as he had 11 points, six rebounds, seven assists and five steals.

Maine concludes the regular season with a record of 15-16 and a 7-9 record in America East action.

The Black Bears will take on the #3 Bryant Bulldogs on Saturday, Mar. 9 at 2 P.M. to kick off the America East Quarterfinals.

-UMaine-