Sergio El Darwich had a game high 26 points Saturday afternoon, as the University of Maine picked up their third win overall and first America East win with a 66-62 win over Albany at SEFCU Arena in Albany, New York.
Albany held the lead for a span of 3:15 in the opening half of action by as many as four points. Maine gained control however and a balanced opening 20 minutes where El Darwich and Isiaiah White each had 10 points, and also eight each from Andrew Fleming and Vilgot Larsson had the Bears up 38-28 at the half.
Maine (3-15, 1-2 America East) extended the lead to 16 early in the second half and led 64-50 with 2:35 to play before Albany made a final push. Back to back three pointers by Rayshawn Miller and Devonte Campbell, a layup by Adam Lulka, and a 1-2 from the line effort by Campbell cut the lead down to 64-59 with 1:01 left. Terrion Moss hit two big ones from the line for the Black Bears with 28 seconds left to seal the win. The Great Danes fall to 5-12, 0-2. It is Maines first win over Albany since 2016, and first since 2011 at SEFCU Arena in Albany.
El Darwich added eight rebounds to his point total. White finished with 13, Fleming 12, and Larsson with 11. Ahmad Clark had 22 points and five rebounds for Albany. Cameron Healy chipped in 15 points and four rebounds.
Maine returns home Wednesday night to battle Hartford at 7 pm.
