PRESQUE ISLE, ME
For the UMPI Men's team, they'd love to soon forget their frustrating first semester in which they endured a plethora of injuries and multiple gut-wrenching losses. As they turned the page into the semester that matters most, their luck did not change as another one-possession game went the opponent's way.
How it Happened:
The Owls hosted SUNY Cobleskill who entered with a record one game better than UMPI at 3-8 overall and 2-3 in conference. The Owls had an opportunity to come within a tie of the Fighting Tigers in the NAC standings. It was clear from the beginning that this would be a game of mini-runs and back and forth. It also was a game of up and down the floor in the first half. Through the fast pace, the Tigers were able to grab a lead after tying the game at 13. The lead was always slim, and sometimes UMPI would tie it, but Cobleskill preserved this slim advantage throughout the first half. UMPI struggled shooting the ball, finishing at 30% from the field in the first half to Cobleskill's 48%. At halftime, it was a 35-32 lead for Cobleskill.
In the second half, the frustrations continued as UMPI clawed to stay in the game. Several opportunities rimmed out, while Cobleskill started to make more outside shots. Despite this, the Owls suddenly grabbed their first lead since early on at 50-48. A few possessions later with UMPI in front 51-50, the Tigers went on a deliberate nine-nothing run to take an eight point lead with 8:24 to go. UMPI would have to come from behind a game. And come from behind they did, as the Owls stormed back with an 8-0 run of their own to tie it at 59 with 5:40 to go. Later, Dwaine Williams buried a corner three to give the Owls a slim lead again at 62-61.
However, the momentum for UMPI would be short lived as yet another run was in store with the teams seemingly taking turns as to who would be in control. Cobleskill fought back with a 9-2 run to take a six point lead with three minutes left. The Owls needed another run to get back in it. The same theme emerged as UMPI responded, slowly but surely. They came within a point at 71-70 with 1:26 to go. After a stop and a timeout the Owls had the ball with a chance to take the lead, but agonizingly the shot didn't drop from inside the paint. After Cobleskill split a pair at the line to lead 72-70, UMPI had another chance to tie it, but both of their good chances wouldn't go, as Cobleskill hung on by the skin of their teeth.
Top Performers:
UMPI's big three were reunited as Doug McCalla made his long awaited return from a devastating knee injury he suffered back on January 12th of 2025. Dwaine Williams led the trio and the team with 16 big ones, despite a frustrating shooting day for his standards. Doug McCalla had a great return game with 15 points, and six rebounds. Akhe McMichael also pitched in with 14 points and nine rebounds to lead UMPI on the glass. Tyson Enget was once again big in his team-leading 36 minutes on the floor as he had 10 and five.
Next Up:
The Owls won't have time to dwell on the loss as they play hosts to SUNY Delhi today (January 6th) at 1pm for another opportunity in conference to turn things around.
