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Men's Basketball Defeats UNH
Feb. 9, 2008 DURHAM, New Hampshire-- The men's basketball team defeated New Hampshire Saturday afternoon by the score of 75-72. With the win, Maine improved to 7-16 and 3-7 in America East, while New Hmapshire fell to 7-16 and 4-7 in league play. Maine was led by Mark Socoby (Houlton, Maine) with 29 points and 10 rebounds. New Hampshire was led by Tyrece Gibbs (Brockton, Mass) with 20 points. The Black Bears got off to a racing start, as they went up 13-to-five three minutes into the gane,when Mark Socoby made the play of the first half. Socoby went baseline, leaned into his shot from abount five feet away from the hoop, made the bucket and got fouled for the three-point play. Maine continued to play solid basketball, and when the Wildcats got to within five at 24-to-19 with just under nine minutes to go, the Black Bears went on a 12-to-nothing run to build its lead to 37-to-21 with three minutes to go. The teams traded baskets the rest of the way, and Maine had a 45-to-28 lead at halftime. The Black Bears were led by Socoby who had 21 points and four rebounds in the first 20 minutes. Junior Bernal (Manhattan, New York) and Kaimondre Owes (Brooklyn, New York) each had seven points in the first half. Maine shot 56 percent to New Hampshire's 30 percent in the first half. The Black Bears also out-rebounded the Wildcats by a 23-to-15 margin. New Hampshire was led by Eric Gilchrese (Springfield, Illinois), who had eight points and three rebounds in the first half. The second half got off to a slower start, as New Hampshire closed the lead to ten points at 48-to-38, eight minutes into the second half. Maine responded, but the Wildcats went on a ten-to-nothing run to cut the Black Bear lead to two points. The Wildcats took the lead briefly at 55-to-54, but Bernal tied it on a free throw. New Hampshire made a couple free throws to take the lead with four minutes to go, but Maine responded and the teams traded baskets. With a minute-and-a-half to go, New Hampshire had a one-point lead at 60-to-59. Socoby made a free throw, and the Black Bears stopped the Wildcats to send the game to overtime.
New Hampshire made a three to open the overtime period, but Maine responded, going on an eight-to-one run to take the lead. After a stop, Socoby made a tough layup through two defenders, got fouled and made the free throw to give Maine a four-point lead that New Hampshire could not overcome. The Black Bears return home on Thursday, Feb. 14 when they take on the Albany Great Danes for a 7 p.m. game. Tickets are still available, and can be purchased by calling 581-BEAR or toll-free at (800) 756-TEAM. -U-M- |
