LEWISTON, Maine – Bates College junior guard Brady Coyne drilled a step-back 18-footer from the baseline to break a tie game and send the Bobcats home with a 66-64 victory over the University of Maine at Farmington in an NCAA Division III non-conference battle on Wednesday evening.
The Records:
The loss snapped the Beavers' six-game win streak, dropping them to 10-8 on the season. Bates improved to 8-8 overall with the win.
How it Happened:
The Beavers and Bobcats played each other evenly for the opening 14:17 of the game, with the teams knotted at 23 with just under six minutes to play in the first half. Simon Chadbourne (Portland, Maine) drilled a three-pointer at the 4:58 mark, sparking a 12-0 Beaver run heading into halftime and helping Farmington take a 35-23 lead. Brock Flagg (Brewer, Maine) scored five points, while Dylan Griffin (Saco, Maine) added four during the run.
After Farmington held the Bobcats scoreless for the final 5:43 of the first half, Bates came out quickly in the second. The duo of Coyne and Peter Psyhogeos combined to score the first nine points, bringing the Bobcats back within three just 2:45 into the half.
Minutes later, Coyne's second three of the game brought Bates within one at 41-40. Chadbourne responded with a three-pointer of his own, starting an 11-1 spurt for the Beavers to regain a nine-point lead with 8:19 left in the game.
Coyne continued his second-half onslaught, hitting his third three to slow the Beavers' run, making it 52-46.
A Will Harriman (Biddeford, Maine) layup gave Farmington a 57-51 lead with 5:14 to play. After Harriman's bucket, Bates responded with an 8-0 run, taking their first lead since midway through the first half. Coyne's fourth three of the half highlighted the run for the Bobcats.
Trailing by two with 2:30 remaining, first-year guard Zach McLaughlin (Hampden, Maine) was fouled and sank two free throws to tie the game at 61. On the ensuing Bates possession, after a big block from Griffin, Psyhogeos picked up the loose ball and drained a short-range jumper to give Bates the lead.
Flagg was fouled on the next Farmington possession and split his free throws, making it a one-point game with less than a minute remaining.
On the ensuing Bates possession, Farmington forced a Babacar Pouye miss, grabbed the rebound, and called a timeout to draw up a play to take the lead. The ball ended up in the hands of Griffin, who backed down Pouye and attempted a tough baby hook off the glass that rimmed out. Sean O'Leary grabbed the rebound and was immediately fouled by McLaughlin with 11 seconds to play. O'Leary made one of two free throws, giving Bates a two-point lead.
After O'Leary missed the second free throw, McLaughlin pushed the ball up the floor, driving all the way to the basket for a layup to tie the game with 2.8 seconds left.
Bates called a timeout to set up the final possession. The inbound pass found the hot hand of Coyne near half court. He dribbled to his left and hit a tough step-back jumper to send the Bobcats home with the hard-fought win.
Stats of the Game:
The Bobcats shot 41.0% (25-for-61) from the floor and 35.7% (10-for-28) from beyond the arc. The Beavers shot 40.4% (21-for-52) from the field and 25.0% (4-of-16) from deep. Farmington had a significant advantage at the free-throw line, shooting 18-for-23, compared to Bates' 6-for-11. The rebound battle finished tied at 36 apiece. Farmington had a slight edge in the turnover battle, forcing 14 Bates turnovers while committing 12 themselves.
Leaders - Farmington:
- Dylan Griffin stuffed the stat sheet with 14 points, nine rebounds, five assists, four steals, and two blocks.
- Zach McLaughlin came off the bench to add 14 points and four rebounds.
- Simon Chadbourne drained 3-of-6 from beyond the arc to finish with 13 points.
Leaders - Bates:
- Brady Coyne finished with a game-high 21 points, including 18 in the second half, shooting 8-for-13 from the field and 5-of-7 from deep.
- Peter Psyhogeos added 14 points, eight rebounds, and four assists, shooting 6-for-11 from the field.
UP NEXT:
The Beavers will look to get back in the win column on Saturday afternoon as they travel to Husson University. Tip-off for this crucial North Atlantic Conference battle is set for 3:00 PM.
