FARMINGTON, Maine - The University of Maine at Farmington men's basketball team came out of the gates swinging in Saturday afternoon's North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Championship game against SUNY Delhi, but could not hold on in the 2nd half, falling 83-77.
The Beavers scored the first 11 points of the game, seemingly getting anything they wanted at the basket in the opening minutes. Kyle Donlin (Warren, Maine) scored the first four points of the game on back-to-back drives, getting layups right at the rim. Jack Kane (Cumberland, Maine) and Terion Moss (Portland, Maine) each added layups to help get the Beavers started early.
The momentum was squarely in the Beavers control to start the game, as they were able to maintain a double-digit lead until the 13-minute mark when Jacob Beach hit a jumper in the paint to cut the Beavers lead to eight. Two possessions later, a Lester McCarthy three cut the lead to five. But the Beavers would not allow the Broncos to get any closer for the remainder of the half as they were able to extend their lead back double-digits with 2:23 left to play in the half.
The Broncos brought their deficit back down to six in the final minute. But Zachery Mickle (Billerica, Mass.) converted an and-one opportunity and looked to give the momentum going into halftime. But Isiah Barnes hit a jumper in the final seconds and the Beavers took a 41-34 lead into half.
Moss paced the Beavers in the 1st half, scoring 13 points, grabbing six rebounds, and dishing out three assists. Nathan Poulin (Williamstown, Vermont) added seven points off the bench. The Beavers shot 50% (17-34) from the field but just 10% (1-10) from three in the 1st half. Beach led the Broncos with 10 points and 4 rebounds. SUNY Delhi 39.5% (15-38) from the field and 9.1% (1-11) from deep.
The Beavers came out of halftime strong, scoring the first five points of the half to extend their lead up to 12. Kane threw down a transition dunk to highlight the spurt for the Beavers. But the Broncos once again would not crumble. They responded with an 8-0 run led by a pair of Mavenson Therneus threes to cut the Beavers lead to just four. Kyle Donlin hit a three of his own on the next possession to halt the Broncos run.
The Broncos kept coming though. Barnes drilled a three with 16:10 left to play to cut the lead to three. Donlin once again had the answer, another three to extend the Beavers lead back to six. Moss gave the Beavers a double-digit lead once again at 61-51 with 13:32 left to play when he drilled a three right in front of the Beavers bench.
The Broncos once again dug deep and did not allow the Beavers to extend their lead any further. SUNY Delhi outscored Farmington 19-9 over the next 9:30 of the game to tie the game up for the first time with four minutes left to play. The Broncos took the lead on a dunk from Therneus and would not look back, extending their lead to as much as nine with 1:03 left to play, and held on down the stretch to claim their first NAC Championship in program history.
Moss scored a team-high 20 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and added four assists. Kane recorded a double-double, totaling 18 points and 10 rebounds. Donlin pitched in with 13 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Moss and Kane were each named to the All-Tournament team.
The Broncos had four scorers in double figures. Therneus scored a game-high 21 points. Beach added 18 points and eight rebounds. McCarthy added 16 and Barnes finished with 13.
