PRESQUE ISLE, ME
In an atmosphere that Wieden hasn't felt all year, the UMPI faithful showed up and showed out to create an awesome environment for UMPI's NAC Quarterfinal victory. The Owls outlasted the Terriers as Thomas made a valiant comeback effort. It was for not as UMPI stood fundamentally strong down the stretch. The Owls limited the turnovers and shot 27-29 from the line as a team to help ice the game.
How it Happened:
UMPI got out to a fast start and got the crowd into it early. The Owls went up 10-2 with a couple early threes and were able to hold the single digit lead for a while. They even expanded it to 23-10 at the halfway point of the first half, and it looked as though the Owls would build on the early lead and let it do the work like they'd done the last few games at home. But the Terriers made certain that wouldn't be the case.
Thomas started to heat up and rebound better than UMPI as they were able to cut it to 31-27 with 1:18 to play in the first half. Ultimately it would be a three-point UMPI lead as Thomas took the momentum into the locker room.
Coming out of the locker room it was like a new ball game. UMPI no longer had the edge they had early on, as Thomas started to answer the home team and the momentum the Owls tried to build with the crowd. One big play occurred after another, teams traded punches and had multiple exciting and-ones that brought the crowd to a near fever-pitch. Thomas tied the game for the first time at 55 at the 10:48 mark. It was the first time UMPI did not have the lead all night. It would also become the last time UMPI would not have it.
The Owls responded with an and-one from Akhe McMichael as the Owls re-seized the momentum. Thomas didn't go away from there however, as it stayed a four-point lead or less all the way until the 5:40 mark.
A foul of James Yamashita in the act of shooting three, gave him three free throws. Yamashita made all three, followed by an AJ Creech and-one, making it a 72-65 game. The Owls were able to keep it a two-possession or more lead the rest of the way. This was in large part due to the Owls' unbelievable free throw shooting. Just two misses the entire game, even though they attempted 29 free throws. 27-29 (93.1%) was the difference in the game as UMPI stayed fundamentally sound down the stretch. They took care of the ball and didn't turn it over at any crucial points, they used up the shot clock, and they hit their free throws to near perfection. That level of fundamental play, coupled with the Owls' overall 61.5% field goal percentage in the second half made them nearly impossible to beat, despite Thomas playing a solid half themselves, The Owls were too much. UMPI punched their ticket with a score of 88-19 and will advance to the semifinal round as they'll play Husson University in Bangor on Sunday afternoon.
Top Performers:
UMPI was led again by their 1-2 punch of Akhe McMichael and Doug McCalla. McMichael had an unbelievable night, saving his best night of the season for the playoffs. He had 33 points on 10-16 shooting. He also led on the boards with seven rebounds and went 11-12 at the free throw line. Doug McCalla rode a monster second half, despite fouling out with under two minutes left. He finished with 17 points and six rebounds on a great clip of 8-11 shooting. Tyson Enget had another solid day with 11 points and five rebounds, while AJ Creech got to double digits with 10. Tariq Martin had eight and six off the bench.
Next Up:
The Owls improve to 14-12 overall, but most importantly clinch their spot in the North Atlantic Conference semifinals. They'll take on Husson University (16-9, 15-3 NAC). The Owls and Eagles will tip-off at 1pm.
