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The University of Maine men’s basketball team suffered a demoralizing loss in Vermont last night, falling to the Catamounts 79-48 at Patrick Gym. The Black Bears’ fourth- straight loss leaves them at 4-9 in America East play and in desperate need of wins to avoid the play-in game between the bottom seeds in the conference tournament.
UMaine had its worst offensive output of the season, shooting a dismal 3-of-21 from behind the arc and 25 percent from the field in the second half. By contrast, Vermont was scorching hot from long range, connecting on 8-of-16 and shooting 50 percent from the field to dismantle the hapless Black Bears.
The Catamount attack was unfazed without injured starter Kyle Cieplicki. Freshman sensation Mike Trimboli, the leading candidate for conference Rookie of the Year, led the way with 15 points and six assists. Chris Holm chipped in 13 while Ryan Schneider added 11 to lead a fairly balanced Vermont offensive effort.
On the Black Bears’ side, top scorer Ernest Turner was hampered by foul trouble and again struggled, putting up four points on 2-of-8 shooting. Junior Chris Bruff was UMaine’s leading point-producer with 11 on the night, his second straight game in double figures.
Vermont seized control of the game with a 13-0 run midway through the first half that broke open a 16-16 tie and put the Catamounts on top for good. The Black Bears clawed within striking distance, but UVM closed the half on a 10-2 run that put UMaine down 40-24 at the break.
The ‘Cats opened the second half with an 11-6 run and the Black Bears would trail by nearly 30 the rest of the way.
Freshman Philippe Tchekane Bofia had 10 points and junior Olli Ahvenniemi added eight, as the duo combined for UMaine’s first eight points and kept the Black Bears in it until they were overwhelmed by UVM’s 13-0 run. The pair also struggled on the boards with just four rebounds apiece, while the team was out-rebounded 46-31.
The Black Bears now turn their attention to New Hampshire, who visits Alfond Arena Sunday afternoon.
In one of their most complete games of the season, UMaine downed New Hampshire in Durham earlier this season 67-53. The Black Bears shot 50 percent from the field while holding the Wildcats to just 38. Ernest Turner led three players in double figure with 17 points.
Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. Sunday.
Bangor Daily News