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.
