On Dec. 4, the University of Maine men’s basketball team won against the University of Maine at Augusta 103-51 at home in the Pit.
This was the first time the two teams had met. UMaine entered the contest 5-4, looking to continue the win streak after winning against Navy. UMaine Augusta entered the contest looking to stop their losing streak.
In the opening tipoff, UMaine immediately opens the scoring with a layup by third-year forward Keelan Steele, assisted by fifth-year guard Kellen Tymes. Despite their opportunities, UMaine could not score. Augusta ties the game at 2 with a layup by second-year guard TJ Wilson. A few minutes later, Steele dunks with Tymes’s assistance. Second-year forward Isaiah Searles, assisted by Wilson, tied the game again. Fourth-year guard AJ Lopez starts the lead with a 3-pointer, assisted by third-year guard Jaden Clayton. A layup by fourth-year guard Quion Burns strengthens the lead. A foul on UMaine gives Augusta two free throws. Third-year guard, Donte Sharp, scores the extra two points.
Tynes answered with a layup to continue the Black Bear lead. Searles followed to tie it again with a good jumper. Fourth-year forward Trevor Beals got a layup, having the Moose lead for the first time in the game leading 13-11. A foul by Wilson had the Black Bears tying the game at 13.
UMaine and Augusta went back and forth, scoring points till the 8:21 mark in the first half. The Black Bears lead with two layups by Burns, a dunk by Steele and a jumper by Lopez. Two layups by Clayton, another dunk by Steele and a 3-pointer by Tynes. Maine was leading 42-25.
Another layup by Steele continuing the building lead. A 3-pointer by fourth-year forward Christopher Mantis. Mantis also gets a dunk. Wilson gets a good jumper attempting to catch up. Mantis gets another 3-pointer. The first half ends with Maine leading 52-27.
A jumper by Sharp opens the second half. A foul by Lopez gave Augusta a free throw. A 3-pointer by Tynes secured a 25-point lead. Two layups and a 3-pointer by Burns built on the Black Bear lead, 62-30.
A layup and a 3-pointer from Lopez continued the building lead by the Black Bears. Augusta had many opportunities to catch up but fell short. UMaine gained another dunk by Steele. A foul by Steele gave Augusta free throws, earning 2 points. A layup by second-year guard Logan Carey assisted by second-year guard Isaac Bonilla. A few seconds later, Carey took a free throw. At this point, UMaine led Augusta, 72- 32.
UMaine got two 3-pointers by Bonilla and Mantis. A good jumper by first-year center Blair Macdonald, assisted by second-year guard Jacob Plamondon, gave Augusta a few points. A dunk was made by third-year forward Killian Gribben, assisted by Carey. Carey followed with a layup assisted by Mantis.
With 10 minutes remaining in the game, Gribben got another layup assisted by fourth-year forward Novak Perovic. Augusta gained possession of the ball but missed all their opportunities. Beals shot a layup. Perovic answered with a layup. Searles joined the fun and got a layup, UMaine still leading by 48. Fourth-year forward Yonas Medfu, assisted by Wilson, gains a 3-pointer. A tip-in by third-year forward Ridvan Tutic, assisted by Perovic, helped UMaine gain more points. Another 3-pointer by Medfu. With four minutes remaining, UMaine got two free throws, now leading 96-46.
As the clock was winding down, a layup by Tutic and a dunk by Mantis got UMaine to 100 points. Augusta’s third-year guard, Payson Washburn, gets two good jumpers. The game ended with a final 3-pointer by Bonilla. Maine wins 103-51.
Mantis led the Black Bears with 15 points, followed by Burns with 13. Searles and Medfu tied, leading Augusta with 12 points.
UMaine will look to continue the win streak on Dec 8, against Fordham University on the road.
