Cold shooting late sends Binghamton over Maine men’s basketball

Cold shooting late sends Binghamton over Maine men’s basketball

The Maine Black Bears only made one shot from the floor over the final 5:24 on Sunday afternoon, as the Binghamton Bearcats secured a 73-65 America East men’s basketball victory at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.

Maine had one lead in the first half on a layup by Adefolalrin Adetogun on their first possession of the day at 2-0. Binghamton built an 11-4 advantage just over five minutes in and led by as many as nine. Maks Klanjscek tied it with a three-pointer for the Black Bears at 31-31 with 3:55 left, before the guests scored seven in a row and led 42-37 at halftime. The hosts took a one point lead on four different occasions in the second half on three jumpers by Sam Ihekwoaba, one from three-point range, and another three-pointer by Ja’Shon Wright-McLeish. A layup by Klanjscek and a jumper by Peter Filipovity gave Maine their biggest leads of the day at three, with the last one making it 62-59 with 5:24 remaining. A three-pointer by Christian Hinckson gave Binghamton the lead for good 67-64 about two minutes later. The Black Bears only hit one of their last seven field goals over that final 5:24 to stay winless against Division I teams (3-11 overall, 0-3 America East).

Ihekwoaba led Maine in the loss with 13 points, three rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Filipovity finished with 12 points and six rebounds. Jacob Falko had a game high 22 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals for Binghamton. John McGriff added 18 points and six rebounds, as the Bearcats improve to 6-7 and 3-1 in conference play. The Black Bears are scheduled to play at UMass-Lowell on Wednesday night.