BRUNSWICK, ME

The UMPI Men's team returned to action Wednesday as they travelled down to take on Bowdoin College out of one of the most prestigious conferences in Division III. In their last meeting, the Owls picked up a thrilling double OT victory over the Polar Bears at home in January. It was the first win over Bowdoin for UMPI in program history. The Owls were unable to make it a second in a row over Bowdoin as they watched their win-streak fall by the wayside in a low-scoring, physical battle.

How it Happened:

UMPI struggled in the first half to put the ball in the hoop, shooting 13.8% from the field as a team. Bowdoin led at one point in the first half 26-9. The score at halftime was 34-17 in favor of the home team, and this pattern continued for the first ten minutes and change of the second half as well. With Bowdoin up by 20 at 9:54 to go, the Owls flipped the switch, refusing to go away quietly. They fired off an 18-4 run to get it back with six points at 55-49 with five and a half minutes to go.

The Owls shot nearly 50% from the field in this half but it would prove too little, too late as the game's scrappy nature won out. Bowdoin won the final five minutes 6-4, with UMPI scoring to make it 65-53 with 2 minutes to play. Those were the last points of the game as it dwindled away ending at that score, with the Polar Bears picking up the wire-to-wire victory.

Top Performers:

UMPI was led by Gilbert Jean Mendez who had 13 points and five rebounds along with three steals and four assists. Myles Jones had 11 and 7, while Akhe McMichael pitched in ten points for the Owls.

Next Up:

The Owls drop to 3-2 on the year and will move on to play another NESCAC team that they defeated at home last season, Bates College. That game will take place this Saturday at 3pm in Lewiston.