FARMINGTON, Maine - The University of Maine at Farmington men's basketball team battled to a 78-70 victory over the Northern Vermont-Lyndon Hornets inside Dearborn Gymnasium on Friday evening in a North Atlantic Conference (NAC) East Division quarterfinal. With the win the Beavers advance to Saturday afternoon's NAC East semifinal against the University of Maine at Presque Isle who one game two of tonight's doubleheader over Husson University.

The 1st half was highly competitive as neither team was able to build a lead larger than five points. Both teams struggled to hit shots in the half as the Beavers connected on just 34.3% (12-35) from the field while the Hornets shot 28.9% (11-38) from the field in the half. The Beavers were 1-12 from beyond the arc in the half as well. Turnovers also hurt the Beavers in the 1st half, turning the ball over 11 times. Despite the off night to open the game, the Beavers took a one-point Kyle Donlin (Warren, Maine) tip-in to beat the buzzer.

The Beavers were led by Donlin, Terion Moss (Portland, Maine), and Jack Kane (Cumberland, Maine) in the 1st half. Donlin tallied nine points on 4-8 shooting to go with five rebounds and two assists. Kane stuffed the stat sheet with 10 points, nine boards, and a pair of blocks. Kane also shot a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line in the half. Moss pitched in with eight points.

The Beavers started out the 2nd half strong, as they were able to extend their lead up to seven in the first 3:30 of the second half. With the Beavers holding onto a 45-40 with 11:45 left to play, they rattled off a quick 9-0 run to take a 14-point lead with 9:00 left to play and appeared to be well on their way to victory. 

The Beavers even took a pair of 17-point leads on a pair of occasions, but the Hornets did not go down without a fight. With 6:05 left to play in the game, the Beavers held onto a 64-47 lead. The Hornets responded with a 12-4 run over the next 3:18 of play to cut their deficit to just nine. The Hornets were able to cut the lead to six inside a minute to play. But the Beavers were able to hit 5-6 from the free throw line down the stretch to close out the victory.

Moss paced the Beavers in the 2nd half, scoring 21 of his game-high 29 in the half. He also finished the game with six rebounds, a pair of assists, and a steal. Kane finished off with a 14 point, 15 rebound double-double. Donlin also chipped in with 14 points and nine boards.

Peyton Olsen led the Hornets with a team-high 15 points. Mondwell Bukle and Justin Phillips each tallied 14 points for NVU-Lyndon. 

UP NEXT

The Beavers return to action tomorrow afternoon against UMPI with a chance to advance to the NAC Championship on the line. The game will tip-off at 2 pm in Dearborn.