UNH used a dominant performance in the paint on Monday afternoon, and would win their first league game of the season by defeating Maine 65-48 in America East men’s basketball action on Skip Chappelle Court inside Memorial Gymnasium in Orono.
The Wildcats never trailed, opening up a 13 point halftime lead. The Black Bears shot 7-25 (28%) and 0-9 from three point range in the opening 20 minutes, and was outrebounded 23-12. Maine never closer than 11 in the second half, and UNH expanded their advantage to as many as 20.
UNH put four players in double figures in the victory, led by Belal El Shakery who had 11 points and seven rebounds. Tyler Bike, Davide Poser, and John Squire would put in 10 points each. Squire grabbed eight rebounds, while Bike contributed four rebounds, four assists, and two steals. The Wildcats improve to 5-12 and 1-3 in America East. The guests outrebounded Maine 39-25 (11-1 offensive), and outscored them 36-22 in the paint. Keelan Steele led the Black Bears with nine points and eight rebounds, while TJ Biel chipped in eight points. Maine ended up shooting 34% (14-41), while going 1-14 from the three-point arc. They now drop to 3-17 and 1-4 in conference play, and will host Albany on Thursday night at 6 p.m.
Photo of Steele from a game earlier this season courtesy of UMaine Athletics
