WATERVILLE, Maine – The University of Maine at Farmington men's basketball team needed overtime, but they were able to stave off a furious Thomas College comeback on Friday evening to secure their third straight Meader Cup with a 99-98 victory.

The Records:

Farmington earned their fourth straight victory, improving to 6-2 overall and 3-0 in North Atlantic Conference (NAC) play. Thomas fell to 3-5 overall and 2-2 in NAC play.

How it Happened:

Farmington jumped out quickly from the opening tip, needing just three minutes and 18 seconds to build a nine-point advantage. Junior forward Jason Reynolds (Winslow, Maine) helped spark Farmington's 13-4 start by splashing a pair of threes. Junior forward Charlie Houghton (Dixfield, Maine) added one of his own during the early run.

Farmington's hot start cooled as the Terriers responded with a 12-4 run, holding the Beavers to just one field goal over a seven-and-a-half-minute stretch to climb back into the game.

Sophomore guard Gabe Michaud (Gorham, Maine) halted the Terriers' momentum, hitting a jumper in the lane, drawing contact, and converting the three-point play to extend the lead to 22-16 with just over nine minutes left in the half.

Nate Hebert answered with a three on the ensuing Thomas possession, igniting a 14-6 burst that gave the Terriers their first lead of the night, 30-28, with six minutes remaining.

The game remained tight the rest of the half, but Farmington took a 44-41 lead into the break.

The Beavers looked to pull away early in the second half, outscoring Thomas 18-6 over the first seven and a half minutes to build a 62-47 lead — their largest of the game. Kory Donlin (Warren, Maine) knocked down a pair of threes and added two free throws to highlight the stretch.

Thomas quickly countered with an 11-0 run to cut the deficit to four. Isaiah Godley repeatedly attacked the paint, scoring six points during the surge to pull the Terriers back within striking distance.

Donlin and Michaud came up with timely buckets down the stretch, but Godley and TJ Blackmon matched them shot for shot as the intensity rose.

Spencer Minihan drilled a three from the top of the key with just over four minutes left to give Thomas a 69-67 lead. After Michaud hit one of two at the line, Godley drove for a layup to extend the Terriers' lead to three — their largest of the night.

Farmington responded as Donlin and Zach McLaughlin (Hampden, Maine) each scored at the rim to reclaim a one-point lead. Blackmon answered with a layup of his own to put Thomas ahead 73-72 with 1:44 left.

Reynolds delivered a deep corner three off an offensive rebound from Brayden St. Pierre (Readfield, Maine) to put the Beavers back on top.

After a Thomas miss, Donlin was fouled with 20 seconds remaining and went to the line with a chance to push the lead to four. He made one of two, keeping it a one-possession game.

On the next Terrier possession, Godley drove to the rim, converted the layup, and drew a foul. He completed the three-point play to tie the game at 76 with 11 seconds to go. After a Farmington timeout, the Beavers were unable to get a shot off, turning the ball over and sending the game to overtime.

Farmington started overtime strong. Reynolds hit two threes and St. Pierre added one of his own to make it 89-80 with 1:41 left. Yasmo Mohamud answered with back-to-back threes for Thomas to trim the margin to five.

After Michaud and Reynolds each went 1-for-2 at the line, Jayden Desimone buried a three to make it 93-89 with 37 seconds left. Donlin was fouled and made both free throws to push the lead back to six. Mohamud continued his incredible overtime shooting, hitting another three to make it 95-92 with 27 seconds to play.

St. Pierre converted two free throws on the next Farmington possession, but Thomas kept coming. Hebert drilled a three to make it a two-point game. McLaughlin was fouled and calmly made both free throws with 13 seconds left. Hebert missed a tying attempt, but Jayden Kim secured the rebound and kicked it out to Mohamud, who drilled his fourth three of overtime at the buzzer, but it wasn't enough, as Farmington held on for the 99-98 win.

Stats of the Game:

Farmington
Field Goal Pct: 44.6% (29-for-65)
Three-Point Pct: 40.9% (9-for-22)
Free Throw Pct: 74.4% (32-for-43)
Rebounds (Total, Off-Def): 50 (14-36)
Turnovers: 14

Thomas
Field Goal Pct: 50.0% (38-for-76)
Three-Point Pct: 45.8% (11-for-24)
Free Throw Pct: 50.0% (11-for-22)
Rebounds (Total, Off-Def): 37 (9-28)
Turnovers: 10

Leaders – Farmington:

• Donlin came off the bench and led the Beavers with 23 points, shooting 7-for-14 from the floor and 7-for-9 from the free throw line, while adding six rebounds.
• Michaud scored a career-high 22 points on an efficient 7-for-10 shooting and 8-for-13 from the stripe. He also added six rebounds and six assists.
• Reynolds recorded his sixth double-double of the season with 20 points and 16 rebounds, shooting 5-for-8 from three. 
• McLaughlin contributed 17 points, going 9-for-10 at the free throw line.

Leaders – Thomas:

• Blackmon led all scorers with 25 points on 12-for-17 shooting, adding six rebounds, six assists, and three steals. 
• Godley added 21 points on 9-for-13 shooting in 26 minutes off the bench.
• Mohamud finished with 20 points, going 4-for-7 from three — all four makes coming in overtime.

Up Next:

Farmington returns to action on Saturday afternoon for another NAC matchup on the road at Lesley University. Tip-off is set for 1:00 PM.