The Maine men’s basketball team were coming off two tough home losses where they held big leads when they looked to get back on track Saturday with a trip to Binghamton. Despite a seven point lead almost five minutes into the second half, the Bearcats came storming back to claim a 78-66 America East win over the Black Bears at the Events Center in Vestal, New York.
Maine (3-18, 1-5 America East) was able to climb out of a 10 point deficit in the first half getting within 38-36 at the half on an Isaiah White layup. The Bears grabbed their first lead of the game 1:57 into the second half at 40-38 when Vincent Eze scored in the paint. They had their biggest lead when Terion Moss knocked down a three pointer with 15:16 left making it 49-42. Binghamton eventually caught them to tie the score 56-56 on a three point basket from Sam Semmons, and took back the lead on another three by Everson Davis just over a minute later. Despite a three to tie it by Maines Dennis Ashley, a three the other way by JC Show pushed the Bearcats back into the lead they wouldn’t give back with 6:31 remaining. The Bearcats outscored the Black Bears 16-7 the rest of the way to pick up the home win.
Vilgot Larssen led Maine with 14 points. Andrew Fleming added 12 points and eight rebounds before fouling out late. White also chipped in 12 points. Caleb Stewart had a game high 26 points and 11 rebounds for 6-15, 2-4 Binghamton. Stewart was 9-11 from the floor, including 5-6 from the three point arc. Stewart also recorded his 1,000th career point late in the second half. Semmons added 14 points, and Show chipped in 11 for the Bearcats. The hosts shot 54 percent from the floor and knocked down 12-25 from three point range (48%), while Maine shot just 40 percent overall and 7-26 (27%) from the arc. Binghamton was also 16-25 from the foul line, while the visitors went 5-9.
Maine will visit UMass-Lowell Wednesday night at 7 pm.
