Piscataway, N.J. – The University of Maine basketball fell at BIG 10 opponent Rutgers on Monday night, 72-60.
 
After an early 22-9 run to open the contest for Rutgers, the Black Bears responded with a quick 9-0 run as Isaac Bonilla, Caleb Crawford and Bonilla again hit three-straight threes.
 
The Black Bears continued to battle back as they were able to cut the deficit down to as little as four points with just over a minute to go on a second-chance bucket by Keelan Steele.
 
Rutgers were able to take a 37-30 lead into halftime as the Black Bears trailed by as many as 16 in the opening half.
 
Bashir N'Galang led the way in scoring with 7 points as he didn't miss a shot in the half. Bonilla had 6 points while both Steele and TJ Biel had four each. Steele had 3 offensive rebounds in the first half.
 
Rutgers was able to slowly pull away from the Black Bears in the second half before Maine was able to cut into the deficit before falling, 72-60.
 
Bonilla led the Black Bears in scoring with 12 points on the night and four three-pointers, both career highs.
 
Notes:

• Bashir N'Galang (11) and TJ Biel (10) both finished in double-digits in scoring on the night.
• Bonilla had a team-high 3 steals on the night.
• Maine shot 45% from three-point range and 47.8% from the field overall.
• The Black Bears forced 14 turnovers and held Rutgers to just 46% shooting from the field.

 
The Black Bears (0-3) return to Orono for their first home game of the season as they host Quinnipiac on Sunday, Nov. 16. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 PM and limited tickets will be available for purchase on Friday, Nov. 14.
 
-UMaine-