Washington, D.C. – The University of Maine basketball team was defeated by George Washington on opening night, 67-47.
 
The Black Bears grabbed the early lead at 5-2 before a back-and-forth battle broke out throughout the middle part of the first half.
 
George Washington came out on top down the stretch of the first half as they were able to grab a double-digit lead with just over four minutes remaining in the opening 20.
 
Maine was able to cut into the deficit in thanks to a 9-2 run to end the first half as they trailed by just four points at the break, 29-25.
 
Ace Flagg led the Black Bears in scoring in the first half with six points while Mekhi Gray was right behind him with five points.
 
Ryan Mabrey, TJ Biel and Bashir N'Galang joined Flagg and Gray in scoring their first points as a Black Bear in the opening half.
 
Maine opened the second half by hitting their first two three-pointers and three of their first six shots to make it a one-possession game with just under 16 minutes remaining.
 
The Black Bears got the deficit down to just a single point after a pair of free throws from Flagg with 13:24 left in the second half.
 
George Washington responded with a 10-0 run to retake a double-digit lead, a lead they would maintain for the rest of the contest.
 
Maine ultimately fell, 67-47
 
Biel led the Black Bears in scoring with 13 points, to go along with seven rebounds.
 
Flagg ended with 10 points, three rebounds and an assist while Gray had eight points and two three-pointers.
 
Notes:

• Carey scored the opening field goal of the season for Maine, a three-pointer. Mabrey had the opening points as he went 2-for-2 from the free throw line two minutes into the contest.
• Five different Black Bears scored their first points as a Black Bear on opening night.
• Flagg had a team-high four steals.
• Biel had a team-high two blocks.

 
The Black Bears (0-1) are back in action on Saturday, Nov. 8 as they travel to Stony Brook for game two of their three-game road trip to begin the 2025-26 season. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 PM.
 
-UMaine-