Maine Lakes News

The University of Maine at Farmington men's basketball team took several blows throughout the game on Friday night but responded every time, and held on to take down Northern Vermont-Johnson 80-71 in a North Atlantic Conference (NAC) contest. 

The Beavers jumped out of the gates quickly tonight, converting on their first three shot attempts, all three-pointers, to take an early 9-2 lead. 

The Beavers were in control of the game for much of the first half and were able to extend their lead to as much as 18 with 3:56 left to play in the half following a three pointer from Nathan Poulin (Williamstown, Vermont).

Seniors Terion Moss (Portland, Maine) and Kyle Donlin (Warren, Maine) led the Beavers offensively all night. They each scored 11 points in the first half to pace the Beavers. Moss also added five assists and four rebounds in the half.

The Beavers shot a strong 51.6% (16-31) and a phenomenal 50% (9-18) from three in the first half to take a 42-28 lead. 

In the second half the intensity was ticked up a notch, as was the physicality. In the opening minutes of the second half reigning NAC Defensive Player of the Week Jack Kane (Cumberland, Maine) took an elbow to the face that would force him to miss the remainder of the contest. 

In Kane's absence sophomore Dylan Griffin (Saco, Maine) stepped up to the plate and filled his shoes very well. Griffin brought the energy on both ends of the floor for the Beavers, posting 11 points and six rebounds in just the second half.

The Badgers opened up the second half on a 16-7 run to cut the Beavers 14-point halftime advantage to just five in the first six minutes of the half. The Beavers responded with a quick 8-2 spurt of their own and regained an 11-point lead. 

The Badgers did not go away however. Another run from the Badgers, this time a 9-2 scoring run, drew them within 2 with 8:30 still left to play. 

With the Beavers holding a 67-64 advantage with 5:48 left to play, Moss did what he does best, take over down the stretch and lead the Beavers to victory. Moss scored nine of the Beavers final 13 points to close out the Badgers and give the Beavers their sixth win of the season.

Moss finished the game with 26 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Donlin added 19 points and four rebounds for the Beavers. 

Yeskin Walker Williams paced the Badgers with 24 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Maleek View added 16 points.

The Beavers are now 6-4 on the season and 2-0 in NAC play while the Badgers drop to 6-9 on the season and 1-4 in conference play. 

Original source can be found here