Orono, ME - The University of Maine men's basketball team took down UMBC on Saturday afternoon for their 8th America East Conference victory of the season as the got the win, 73-50.

UMBC jumped out to an early 4-2 lead, but that would end up being their only lead of the night as the Black Bears jumped in front with 16:59 remaining in the first half and never looked back.

Maine was able to build their lead up to double-digits heading into halftime as Quion Burns hit a free-throw line jumper to make it 27-17.

AJ Lopez led the way in scoring in the opening 20 minutes as he had 9 points while Christopher Mantis chipped in with 8 points.

Burns had a game-high 8 rebounds in the first half while four different Black Bears had 2 steals each in the half.

Maine continued to keep their momentum going as they pushed their lead all the way to 29-points before UMBC cut it down to the final margin of 23-points at a final score of 73-50.

Jaden Clayton set a new career-high in assists as he had 11 on the afternoon. Clayton also had 4 steals on the defensive end of the floor.

Burns recorded his third double-double of the season as he had 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Lopez finished with a game-high 17 points while Mantis had 14 off the bench for Maine.

Maine (16-9, 8-2 AE) remain firmly in the second place in the America East Conference standings as they will place host to the Vermont Catamounts on Saturday, Feb. 15 for their Alumni Day. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 PM.

-UMaine-