12/8/08
Men's basketball comes up short at USM
GORHAM -- The University of Maine at Farmington men's basketball team rallied from a late seven-point deficit, but the Beavers fell to the University of Southern Maine 61-59 in non-conference action at Hill Gymnasium tonight.
The Beavers fell to 2-3 and are scheduled to host Thomas College Wednesday. The women's game is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. with the men's contest to follow.
Eric Taylor (Oakland, ME) paced the Beavers with 15 points and nine rebounds, while Ted Neil (Strong, ME) pitched in 12 points and Pat Howell (Nobleboro, ME) added nine points and 10 boards.
Sean Bergeron led Southern Maine (2-5) with 17 points with Andy Tracy adding 14 points and 12 rebounds. Tracy calmly collected a loose ball and sank an elbow jumper with five seconds remaining in the regulation to lift the Huskies to the win.
Both teams struggled offensively, combining to make just 35 field goals in the game, and shot in the high 20s in the opening half. Southern Maine shot an ice-cold 8-for-30 (26.7 percent), while the Beavers enjoyed a slightly better 8-for-28 (28.6 percent). The Beavers were able to eek out a 26-23 lead at the break thanks to nine first half free throws (9-for-14).
In the second half, each team battled back and forth. After a Tracy offensive rebound and a layup to deliver the eight tied score of the half, 49-49, with 5:09 to play, USM rattled off a 8-1 run to seemingly take control of the game, 57-50, with 2:21 on the clock. The Huskies received baskets form four different players in the run including layups from Bergeron, Tracy, Luke Pollock and Mike Poulin. The Beavers were able to counter with a run of their own to force the ninth tie of the half forcing the Huskies into defensive miscues and getting to the free throw line. Farmington outscored USM 9-2 over a one-minute-and-37-second span, including six free throws and a game-tying three-pointer from Neil with 18 seconds on the clock.
In its next possession, USM was able to run some time off the clock before the ball was knocked loose in the paint, setting up the Tracy jumper. Farmington was able to get off a deep range last-second 3-pointer as the buzzer sounded but it bounced off the rim and out.
