FARMINGTON, Maine -- Bates College ramped up its shooting percentage in the second half, erasing a 10-point halftime deficit on its way to a 71-61 men's basketball win over the University of Maine at Farmington, Tuesday night at Dearborn Gym.

Four Bobcats finished in double-digits, led by junior Graham Safford's 15 points. Luke Matarazzo chalked up 11 points, all in the second half, while Adam Philpott came off the bench to tally 12 points.

Junior Pet Sumner scored 16 points to pace UMaine-Farmington (8-11) offensively, including four 3-pointers. Senior Nate Carson charted 15 points with six rebounds, while senior Andrew Dickey finished with eight points and eight boards.

Trailing 31-21 at the intermission, Bates (11-9) outscored Farmington 9-2 over the first four minutes of the second half, cutting the Beavers' lead down to three points, 33-30. UMF committed four of its seven turnovers in the entire half in that span, finishing with 16 total turnovers leading to 23 Bates points.

A Philpott 3-pointer at the 14:18 mark brought the Bobcats to within one, and Bates finally caught UMaine-Farmington on a pair of Matarazzo foul shots with 13:32 showing on the clock. Carson responded with a jumper to put the Beavers back into the lead, but Philpott struck with another trey to give the Bobcats a 41-39 lead.

Bates led the rest of the way, building an eight-point lead, 52-44, before UMaine-Farmington would make a final run at overtaking the Bobcats.

A layup by Dickey at the 4:14 mark followed 20 seconds later by a pair of foul shots brought the Beavers to within three, 60-57. The two teams traded unsuccessful 3-point attempts before Matazarro connected on a two-point jumper to extend the Bobcat lead to five. Another Matazarro bucket barely 45 seconds later gave Bates a seven-point margin, and the Bobcats went 7-of-8 at the free-throw line over the final minute to clinch the win.

Bates turned in a 50.0 percent (16-of-32) shooting effort in the second half, after firing at a 23.5 percent (8-of-34) clip in the opening stanza.

UMaine-Farmington shot 9-of-25 in each half and finished with a .360 field goal percentage (18-of-50) for the game. The Beavers opened the game by connecting on six of their first nine attempts from the floor, building a 21-4 lead over the Bobcats by the 12:34 mark of the opening half and appearing to have the game firmly in hand.

The Beavers still held a 17-point lead, 31-14, with just 2:23 left in the opening frame, but the Bobcats scored seven unanswered points to end the half.

UMaine-Farmington returns to North Atlantic Conference play this weekend, starting with a game at Lyndon State on Friday, Feb 7. Bates will face NESCAC foe Williams College in a road contest on Friday.

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