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Last updated: Thursday, May 24, 11:59 a.m.
Sports

Men’s Basketball: UMaine off to hot start

By Michael Pare
Posted on Nov. 24, 2008, at 12:00 a.m.

If early returns are any indication, the University of Maine men’s basketball team will be proving many doubters wrong this season. Picked by many to finish eighth out of nine teams in the America East, the Black Bears’ 3-1 start is their best in 37 years and has them sitting in first place in the conference.

UMaine began the season in Kennesaw, Ga. where they competed in the 100 Club Classic.

After defeating Mid-American Conference opponent Northern Illinois University 77-64 in their first game, UMaine advanced to the tournament championship game where they faced Kennesaw State.

With contributions from sophomore forward Troy Barnies and junior guard Mark Socoby who scored 16 points each, the Black Bears took home the 100 Club Classic Championship in convincing fashion 47-60.

Socoby and Barnies were both honored as all-tournament team selections. Socoby was named tournament MVP after averaging 16 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2.5 steals.

Fresh off their tournament success, the team traveled to New Jersey where they battled to a hard-fought 58-55 overtime win over the Princeton Tigers. With that victory, UMaine became the last unbeaten team in America East.

They would not be unbeaten for long, however, as they faced Big East opponent Providence College – a team picked by some experts to compete in the NCAA tournament. UMaine hung around early in the second half, but Providence eventually pulled away to win the game 83-62.

The game against Providence is the first of several on the schedule against elite Division I competition. These types of nonconference games may not look good for the Black Bears’ overall record, but the challenge will prepare them for what promises to be a difficult conference schedule.

UMaine plays their home opener Tuesday night against Quinnipiac University before heading on the road again to Mobile, Ala. for a Thanksgiving weekend tournament.

This entry was posted on Monday, November 24th, 2008, 12:00 am. You can follow any responses to this article through the RSS feed.

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