A strong 12-2 second half run on Friday night would help lift the Minnesota Golden Gophers over the Maine Black Bears 80-62 in non-conference men’s basketball action at Williams Arena in Minneapolis.
Maine held four slim leads in the first 8:15 of the first half by as many as three. Their last lead was off a three-pointer by Ja’Shonte Wright-McLeish at 14-11. Minnesota took the lead for good 17-16 on a three-pointer by Elijah Hawkins, one of eight three-pointers the Gophers hit in the opening 20 minutes. The hosts ended the first half on a run of 11-2 to extend a four point advantage to 13 at the break 41-28. The Black Bears put together a run of their own of 8-0 in a span of 1:48 early in the second half to slice the deficit to 43-38 with still 16:10 left to play. The spurt included a layup by Peter Filipovity, a conventional three-point play by Kellen Tynes, and a three-pointer by Kristians Feierbergs. With Maine still hanging around within striking distance at 53-45 with 10:42 remaining, Minnesota would pull away with that 12-2 run to take control 65-47 for their 10th win of the season.
Filipovity led Maine in the loss with 16 points and 13 rebounds. He was 6-9 from the floor and 4-4 from the free throw line. Feierbergs had 14 points and six rebounds off the bench, while Tynes also finished in double figures with 13 points, seven assists, and two steals. The Black Bears finish non-conference play at 8-7. Mike Mitchell Jr. led five players in double figures for Minnesota out of the Big 10 Conference with 18 points. Hawkins, Dawson Garcia, and Pharrel Payne each had 12 points. Joshua Ola-Joseph added 10 points. Hawkins also contributed 10 assists and four steals, as the Gophers go to 10-3. Maine now heads into America East action as they head to Vermont to battle the two-time defending conference champion Catamounts next Saturday, January 6 at 2 p.m.
Recap by Chris Lessner
Maine looks to play some defense in a game earlier this season in Orono against Merrimack College. The Black Bears lost their final non-conference game of the season in Minnesota Friday night 80-62 to the Golden Gophers. Maine will head to Vermont to battle the two-time defending conference champion Catamounts in the America East opener next Saturday. Photo by Chris Lessner
