LEWISTON, Maine -- In one of the most exciting games played at the venerable Alumni Gym in recent memory, the Bates men's basketball team defeated Colby 99-92 in overtime Saturday afternoon behind a game-high 38 points from rookie Marc Begin II.

Begin II (Jacksonville, Fla.) scored the most points in one game for Bates men's basketball since Jeff Spellman '20 also tallied 38 points on Nov. 26, 2017 against the University of New England.

Before tip, the Bobcats honored the late Billy Selmon '15, a captain on the 2014-15 Bobcats, who advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division III tournament. Then, Bates won a game that would have made Billy proud.

With the score tied at 88 and 3:25 remaining in overtime, first-year Jaelen Jackson (South Portland, Maine) drilled a three-pointer from the left wing on an assist from Begin II to put the Bobcats ahead for good. Begin II converted a layup with 2:07 left to extend the lead to five. A pair of Jackson free throws made the score 95-88 with 1:27 on the clock.

The Mules (6-5) rallied and trimmed the Bates lead to three with 48 seconds left on a pair of Matthew Lamy free throws. 

But Begin II had the answer again for the Bobcats, scoring with 23 seconds left to extend the lead to 97-92. A pair of Jackson free throws provided the final margin of victory in the non-conference contest.

The Bobcats (2-8) found themselves down 44-34 at halftime, as Colby drilled 7-13 from three-point range in the first half and the Bobcats made just 3-10 from long range.

Bates was able to drain nine threes in 13 attempts in the second half and the Bobcats held Colby to just 3-7 from three-point range, flipping the script on the Mules. 

With the Bobcats trailing 52-44 and 15:07 left in regulation, Begin II went on a personal 7-0 run to trim the deficit to one with 13:59 remaining. Lamy answered with a three-pointer, but Begin II sank a pair of free throws and then sophomore Elliott Cravitz (Denver, Colo.) drilled a three-pointer to give the Bobcats their first lead of the game, at 56-55 with 12:53 remaining. 

Colby did not go quietly into the night, opening up a seven-point lead at 75-68 on a Max Poulton layup with 6:07 left.

Once again, Begin II provided the spark, answering immediately with a three-pointer to get the Bobcats back within four. 

The Mules led 83-80 with 1:23 to go in regulation, only to see Begin II drill another three, tying the game.

Poulton put the Mules up 86-83 with three free throws. Then Begin II did what he had been doing all night, put the ball in the hoop. This time, he converted an old-fashioned three-point play with 32 seconds remaining, tying things up at 86. 

Begin II had a chance to win the game in regulation, but his three-pointer from the left wing rimmed off at the horn.

In overtime, the Mules struck first thanks to a Liam O'Connell layup. But senior captain Simon McCormick (Whitefield, Maine) answered with a pair of three throws, and Colby never led again.

Jackson's three put the Bobcats ahead for good, helping snap a seven-game losing streak to their rivals from Waterville. 

In addition to his 38 points on 14-25 shooting, Begin II grabbed five rebounds and dished out four assists. He also tallied two steals. Cravitz finished with 15 points on 5-7 shooting. First-year Babacar Pouye (Carpinteria, Calif.) turned in another strong performance with 14 points on 7-13 shooting and eight rebounds. Jackson made every shot he took on his way to nine points. McCormick dished out a team-high five assists.

Lamy finished with 22 points on 4-6 shooting for Colby. Poulton added 21 points, making 12 of 13 from the free throw line. Lucas Green tallied 16 points, making 4-7 from long range. But 11 of his 16 points came in the first half, as the Bobcats tightened on defense. Jack Lawson chipped in 15 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, giving Colby four players in double figures scoring. Marcos Montiel also had a strong game, with nine points on 4-7 shooting.

The Bobcats dominated in the paint, scoring 42 points to Colby's 26. The Mules had a massive advantage at the free throw line, making 30-34 from the stripe. Bates made 12-14 at the line. 

After going 0-3 in overtime last season, the Bobcats prevailed in their first overtime game of 2023-24, scoring their most points in one contest since the 2019-20 season.

Bates is back in action on Tuesday, January 2, when the Bobcats visit Saint Joseph's College of Maine for a 7pm tip.