CASTINE, Maine – Johnson State closed out an otherwise close game with a six-minute, 13-2 run to hand Maine Maritime a 60-50 setback in North Atlantic Conference (NAC) play Saturday afternoon. The Badgers' (6-19, 6-12) Andy Bousono (Philadelphia, Pa.) scored half of his 10 points in the stretch to complete Johnson State's season sweep of the Mariners (2-22, 1-17 NAC).
Jason Hatch (Isleboro, Maine) gave Maine Maritime a 48-47 lead with a pair of free throws with 6:04 left in the game. It didn't last long. Bousono changed the lead for the 13th time 20 seconds later, draining a three-pointer to make it 50-48. After three-and-a-half scoreless minutes, he stretched the lead to four, 52-48 with a pair of shots at the line. Alen Turan (Essex, Vt.) took over from there, scoring six of the Badgers' final eight points, stretching the difference to 12, with 26 ticks on the clock. Turen finished with eight points.
Scott Moran (Orange, Conn.) led all Badgers' scorers with 11 points. He had three assists and three steals. Bousono hauled in nine rebounds, dished out six helpers and recorded three steals. Bryan Hickey (Barre, Vt.) recorded nine points and eight rebounds.
Playing a full 40 minutes for the second time in less than 24 hours, Brandon Theriault (E. Millinocket, Maine) led all scorers with 16 points to go along with a team-high seven rebounds and a pair of blocked shots. Andy Ball (Hermon, Maine) scored 15 points, grabbed five rebounds and blocked three shots.
The teams combined for 38 turnovers, which were split evenly between the sides. Johnson converted MMA's miscues into 22 points, while the Mariners only cashed in for 13 points. The Badgers held a 42-31 edge in rebounding. Johnson State collected 14 offensive rebounds, getting 13 second-chance points to the Mariners two.
Johnson State will wait to learn its place in the final analysis of the NAC standings. The playoff pairings will be released this evening. Maine Maritime's season comes to an end with the loss, their 17th in as many games.
JOHNSON ST. 60, MAINE MARITIME ACADEMY 50
JOHNSON ST. (6-19, 6-12) Scott Moran 4-11 1-2 11; Andy Bousono 2-7 4-5 10; Bryan Hickey 4-11 1-1 9; Alen Turan 4-7 0-0 8; Cory Chase 1-5 5-5 8; Billy Boyd 3-8 0-2 6; Ron Adrian 1-3 2-2 4; Lester Alexander 0-1 2-2 2; Timmy Respass 1-1 0-0 2; Brian Phelps 0-0 0-0 0; Cody Camisa 0-2 0-0 0; Patrick Rainville 0-0 0-0 0; Josh Reed 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 20-57 15-19 60.
MAINE MARITIME ACADEMY (2-22, 1-17)
Brandon Theriault 7-12 0-1 16; Andy Ball 6-14 3-5 15; David Lord 1-4 3-4 5; Bradley Reed 2-8 0-0 4; Scott Alexander 2-6 0-0 4; Jason Hatch 0-1 3-4 3; Tyler Pineo 1-6 0-0 3. Totals 19-51 9-14 50.
Johnson St.................... 28 32 - 60
Maine Maritime Academy........ 25 25 - 50
3-point goals--Johnson St. 5-13 (Andy Bousono 2-3; Scott Moran 2-4; Cory Chase 1-2; Ron Adrian 0-1; Lester Alexander 0-1; Cody Camisa 0-1; Josh Reed 0-1), Maine Maritime Academy 3-14 (Brandon Theriault 2-3; Tyler Pineo 1-4; Bradley Reed 0-2; Scott Alexander 0-2; Andy Ball 0-3).
Fouled out—Johnson St.-None, Maine Maritime Academy-Tyler Pineo.
Rebounds--Johnson St. 42 (Andy Bousono 9), Maine Maritime Academy 31 (Brandon Theriault 7).
Assists--Johnson St. 13 (Andy Bousono 6), Maine Maritime Academy 3 (Tyler Pineo 3).
Total fouls--Johnson St. 12, Maine Maritime Academy 18.
Technical fouls--Johnson St.-None, Maine Maritime Academy-None.
A-113