FARMINGTON, ME | CASTINE, ME
UMPI Men's Basketball has endured one of the most challenging semesters in recent memory as they have battled through countless injuries and close losses throughout non-conference and conference play. Unfortunately, UMPI simply did not have it at UMF on Friday night and then dropped a heartbreaker in overtime at Maine Maritime.
Friday Night:
Not much went right for the Owls at UMF, as they fell in a 16-0 hole to start the game. UMF showcased why they were the best team in the conference. The Beavers shot 50.8% from the field on the night, and made 12 three-pointers, as they ran away with the game from the jump, making it seem as if they could not miss. UMF scored 50 points in the first half, while also keeping UMPI to just 23 points. The Owls couldn't mount a comeback in the second half as they were held to 27 over the last 20 minutes as UMF took the game by a score of 87-49.
Top Performers:
UMPI was led by Tyson Enget, who had 12 points and went 5-5 from the field. He had four assists as well. Dwaine Williams was in double digits with 10 points with a pair of threes. Akhe McMichael had nine points with five boards.
Saturday Afternoon:
Saturday was a much different vibe as the Owls quickly whipped away the frustrating game the night before. UMPI and MMA battled all afternoon. The Owls opened up red hot as they looked like a totally different team against the Mariners. They held MMA to three points through the first seven minutes of the game as they led 15-3 with 12:53 in the half. The Mariners flipped the script over the next 10 plus minutes however, taking a 26-19 lead with 2:50 in the half. It was a 23-4 run for the Mariners to turn the game upside down, but UMPI battled to get back within a possession, trailing 28-25 at halftime.
In the second half, MMA continued to dominate, grabbing a 12 point lead at 46-34 with 14 and a half minutes to play. The ailing Owls could have rolled over right then and there, but they refused to quit as they slowly scrapped their way back in it. UMPI cut it to four with 11 minutes, but by the eight minute mark it was back to a 10-point game at 64-54. The Owls continued to fight, putting together a 10-0 run to tie it at 64.
Despite their numerous comeback bids, MMA still led by multiple possessions going into the final minute. Up 73-68 with less than 30 seconds, the Owls miraculously tied it, thanks to a McMichael jumper and then a three by James Yamashita with seven seconds left to tie it at 73.
Though the comeback kids seemed destined to win this game, it would not be so. The Owls did grab a slim lead in Overtime thanks to a Dwaine Williams three ball, but MMA found a way to get in front again. Trailing by three in their last possession of the game, the Owls did not have a second miracle in them, as the Mariners held them off to win it 83-80.
Top Performers:
There were many heroes in the game for UMPI, but they were led in scoring by Tyson Enget. Enget also had his first career double-double, in the non-traditional way as he had 18 points and 10 assists. Enget went 7-10 shooting and also added six rebounds. James Yamshita and Dwaine Williams were also huge with UMPI as they shot the lights out. They both had 17 points, with Yamashita making five threes and Williams hitting four. Akhe McMichael was the fourth player to double digits with 10 points and six rebounds, along with eight assists. Tariq Martin flirted with a double-double himself as he had nine points and nine rebounds.
Next Up:
For UMPI, the semester break couldn't come soon enough as they drop to 2-9 overall and 1-4 in conference. They will take the two weeks of practices off to get healthy before regrouping for a heavy second-semester load of 13 conference games. The season is far from over for the Owls who endured set-back after set-back and the tools are certainly there if they can put it all together to make a playoff run despite their challenges through the first 11 games.
