FARMINGTON, Maine - The University of Maine at Farmington men's basketball team dropped a non-conference battle to in-state rival, the University of Southern Maine, 86-77 on Wednesday night in Dearborn Gymnasium.
The Huskies shot a fantastic 52.8% (28-53) from the field and 51.9% (14-27) from the three point line en route to the victory. The Huskies opened the game on fire from three, hitting four of their first six attempts, including a pair from Chance Dixon (Lake Worth, Fla.) to build an 8 point lead 6:30 into the game.
Three straight layups from Nathan Poulin (Williamstown, Vermont), Silas Mohlar (Readfield, Maine), Terion Moss (Portland, Maine) and a pair of free throws from Jack Kane (Cumberland, Maine) erased the deficit and tied the game up at 18.
The Huskies then responded with a pair of threes, from Dixon and Simon Chadbourne (Westbrook, Maine), to take a six point lead. After a pair of Moss free throws and a layup from Dylan Griffin, the Beavers were back within two. But the Huskies would close out the final nine minutes of the half on a 20-8 run to take a 14 point lead into halftime.
The Beavers struggled shooting in the first half, shooting 34.5% (12-35) from the field and 0-13 from three as a team. The Huskies shot 50% (14-28) from the field and 56.3% (9-16) from three.
In the second half the Beaver offense would get rolling, shooting 55.6% (20-36) from the floor and 46.7% (7-15) from three. But the Huskies would not cool off as they shot 56% (14-25) from the field and 45.5% (5-11) from three in the second half.
The Huskies increased their lead to 19 just 42 seconds into the second half, but the Beavers would respond. The Beavers cut the deficit to just six with 10:35 still left to play. The teams traded buckets throughout the remainder of the contest. Every time the Beavers gained a little momentum and an opportunity to get over the hump, the Huskies would respond with a big bucket to keep the Beavers at bay.
The Beavers drew within five with 2:08 left to play, but were unable to draw any closer.
The Beavers had three players in double figures led by Moss's 23 points. Kane added 16 for the Beavers while Kyle Donlin (Warren, Maine) chipped in 12. Moss also added eight assists and five boards. Kane finished with eight rebounds and four blocks.
The Huskies were paced offensively by Dixon's 21 on 8-14 and 5-9 shooting splits. Mark Asare (Roswell, Georgia) scored 16 points off the bench while Chadbourne added 11. Tommy Whelan (Bronx, N.Y.) pitched in 10 off the bench.
UP NEXT
The Beavers will travel to Northern Vermont-Lyndon to kick-off their NAC conference play on Saturday afternoon at 3 PM.
