FARMINGTON, Maine -- The University of Maine at Farmington overcame Maine Maritime Academy's torrid shooting as the Beavers claimed a 63-58 victory over the Mariners in North Atlantic Conference men's basketball action today at Dearborn Gymnasium.
UMF (9-6 overall, 9-1 NAC) is scheduled to visit Colby College on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. MMA (2-14, 1-9) is tabbed to host Husson Univesity next Saturday at 3 p.m.
The Mariners shot 60 percent (15-25) in the opening half, including 85.7 (6-7) from beyond the arc, to build a 36-29 lead at halftime. MMA maintained its command in the early stages of the second half, but the Beavers blazed off a 16-4 run over a five-minute span to take a 56-50 advantage with 5:24 to play. UMF held the Mariners to a pair of 3-pointers over the final 4:30 to take the 63-58 win.
Ben Johnson (Manchester, Maine) collected his sixth double-double of the season with 15 points and 14 rebounds for the Beavers, while Pet Sumner (Cramerton, N.C.) pitched in with 11 points and five assists and Andrew Dickey (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) netted 10 points.
Shawn Dostie (Bowdoinham, Maine) scored a game-high 16 points and hauled in nine boards for the Mariners, who finished the game shooting 51.0 percent (25-49) from the floor, while UMF was 40.4 (21-52). Benjamin Russell (Farmington, Maine) added 13 points and six assists in the loss with Tyler Pineo (Corinth, Maine) knocking down four 3-pointers for 12 points. MMA did not attempt a free throw in the contest (UMF was was 10-17 from the free-throw line).
Kevin Leary (Manchester, Maine) buried a pair of treys as the Beavers strolled out to a 15-6 lead over the opening eight minutes. The Mariners responded with 3-pointers on five consecutive possessions -- two each by Pineo and Russell, one by Bradley Reed (Belfast, Maine) to forge a 26-23 lead with 6:40 until the break. Baskets by Russell and Dostie finished off an 18-3 run for a 30-23 advantage with 3:55 until intermission and the visitors marched into halftime with a 36-29 command.
The MMA lead grew to nine points early in the second half, but the Beavers chipped away at the deficit with six straight points from Johnson making it 46-43 with 11:36 remaining in the game. Trailing 50-47, the Beavers scored the game's next nine points, five from Dickey, to stake a 56-50 lead with 5:24 remaining.
Following a Brandon Theriault (East Millinocket, Maine) basket, Sumner hit a three to give the hosts a 59-52 lead with 4:29 to go. Russell struck for a 3-pointer with 2:23 left to cut the lead to 59-55, but the Beavers were able to scratch out enough from the foul line (4-7) and hold MMA to a Pineo trifecta to survive for a 63-58 win.