PRESQUE ISLE, ME
UMPI hosted the biggest game of the year on Saturday, bringing in the second place Husson Eagles. The Owls trailed most of the game and were unable to go on a timely run in the second half to keep the game within striking distance as the Eagles were able to keep control when it mattered most. The Owls drop back to .500 in conference play and hold onto the five seed in the North Atlantic Conference.
How it Happened:
The Owls drew first blood in a slower start to the game with a three-pointer from AJ Creech. UMPI's early led was taken by Husson until UMPI tied it back up at 11. The Eagles flirted with a double digit lead going back and forth from eight points before UMPI would cut it back a two-possession thing. UMPI got it as close as three right before halftime, before the Eagles ended up settling for a 39-35 halftime lead. Despite the close score Husson did seem to have full-control.
That changed right from the second half start, when UMPI went on their best run of the day. Beginning with a three from Tariq Martin, and a couple fast break layups, UMPI led 42-39, tied for their biggest lead on the day from when it started 3-0. Unfortunately for the Owls, this would be very short lived. Husson responded with a 7-0 run of their own to take back the four point lead. They'd add on slowly but surely as UMPI's offense ran dry, bringing it up to ten points for the first time in the day at 56-46. From there it was an eerily similar pattern to last Saturday's home game for UMPI with UMF keeping the Owls at arm's length, Husson did the exact same thing. UMPI fought but ultimately did not shoot it well enough to get back into the game. It was a frustrating half as Husson was physically dominant as well. The Owls got it as close as seven points with 5:38 to play at 70-63, but the run wouldn't materialize any further, Husson iced the game from there, to win it 85-72. Much like the Farmington game which ended 75-62, a close game at halftime, and a second-half run for the Owls weren't enough as their opponent ultimately outlasted, out-shot, and out muscled UMPI in the second half.
Top Performers:
The Owls were led by Yuki Ishibashi who delivered 20 points off the bench as he returns to his early-season form that saw him put up multiple 20+ point performances. Ishibashi went 8-14 shooting, with a pair of threes. Akhe McMichael had 14 points with three three-pointers, while pouring in five assists. Tariq Martin and Doug McCalla each chipped in 13 points apiece, while Martin led UMPI on the boards again with nine, falling one rebound short of a double-double. AJ Creech had eight and Tyson Enget had four to round out the scoring for the Owls.
Next Up:
The Owls drop to 9-12 on the season, and 7-7 in conference. They currently sit in fifth place and are one-game out of holding the last home playoff spot.
