Owls Grind Out Massive Win over Maine Maritime
PRESQUE ISLE, ME
UMPI Men's Basketball continued their winning streak as they earned a hard fought 62-60 win over Maine Maritime Academy on Friday night. It wasn't the prettiest game with both defense hanging tough throughout, but in the end the Owls made the run at the right time and took a lead going into the final minutes and ultimately were able to ice the game.
How it Happened:
UMPI took an 8-0 lead to start the game, thought it was a slow run through the first four minutes. MMA was able to turn it on and end the drought as they also ramped up the defensive intensity with their 2-3 zone causing UMPI fits in the first half. The Mariners completely dominated the next 13 minutes, taking a 30-19 lead for a 30-11 run on that stretch, as they started to hit outside shots also. UMPI salvaged the final three minutes of the half to go into the locker room trailing 32-25.
The Mariners kept the Owls at arm's length for much of the second half as well. Though UMPI kept it at single digits, with them bringing it within three points on a couple of occasions before finally AJ Creech hit a huge three-pointer at 6:20 to play to put UMPI on top by one. MMA answered right away with a three of their own to take back the lead at 50-48.
At 4:18 another clutch shot for UMPI came via Tyson Enget – his only three of the night, but it couldn't have come at a better time. The Owls led by one. But once again, MMA answered right away with another big three to go up by two again at 53-51. At 2:42 an Akhe McMichael jumper put UMPI up again at 54-53. MMA responded again with yet another huge three, at the two minute mark to go up by one at 56-55. With the call-and-response pattern creating quite the drama in the gym, things came to a screeching halt in the final minute with both coaches hanging on most of their timeouts. The pace slowed as both coaches moved their chess pieces around. UMPI was able to hit some big free throws in the final minute, leading by four at 60-56 with 54 seconds. MMA then hit another huge three to keep the game going to make it 60-59 UMPI. The Owls went to the line at 21 seconds, James Yamashita hit both shots to keep it a three-point lead. Ultimately, the Owls would foul the Mariners with under a second left, forcing them to make the first and have to miss the second and get an offensive rebound. They had the rebound and the look, but the ensuing shot was wide to the left. The Owls hung on for the crazy victory 62-60.
Top Performers:
Akhe McMichael led the Owls in the low scoring contest with 15 points on 6-10 shooting from the field. Next closest was Tyson Enget who had 11 and seven in his gritty 36 minutes on the floor. Doug McCalla was in double figures with ten rebounds while Tariq Martin and Aleix Moreno both provided valuable minutes off the bench with eight points each. Martin played 13 minutes and Moreno played 10 as the Owls depth now looks to be a key strong point.
Next Up:
The Owls win their sixth straight and improve to 8-10 overall and 7-5 in NAC play. They have an opportunity to cement themselves as one of the top teams in the conference when they host the first place UMF Beavers on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.
