The University of Maine men’s basketball team lost a tough one 65-61 to Longwood University on Saturday afternoon in day two of the Capital Thanksgiving Classic in Washington, DC.
The Black Bears had a one point edge on three different occasions in the first half, before the Lancers closed it out on a 9-2 run to take a 29-22 advantage at the break. Maine battled back in the final 20 minutes, taking their final lead 40-39 on a driving layup by Logan Carey with 12:32 left. Longwood answered with a 10-1 run over the next 3:21 to jump back in front for good 49-41. The Bears had an opportunity down 63-61 with 31 seconds remaining, and had two good looks on three-pointers by Mekhi Gray and TJ Biel but both would miss and the Lancers grabbed the rebound and hit two free throws to ice it.
Gray led Maine with 16 points, three rebounds, two steals, and one blocked shot. Carey finished with 13 points, while chipping in six rebounds, four steals, and three assists. Ryan Mabrey contributed 12 points. The Black Bears (0-8) still seek that elusive first win, and will finish up play in the classic on Sunday afternoon against Siena College at 1 p.m.
