STANDISH – The University of Maine at Farmington men’s basketball team (0-3, 0-0) were defeated, 54-34, at nonconference opponent Saint Joseph’s College on Monday evening.
The first half was very much a coin flip. UMF and St. Joe’s dueled the entire opening half, trading baskets with neither team surrendering an inch. The largest lead of the game was at halftime where SJC held a, 26-20, edge.
The box score was nearly as even as the score in the first half. UMF shot 8 for 25 from the floor in the first half while SJC was slightly better with a 10 for 24 mark. The Beavers shot 2 for 10 from long range as the Monks followed with 5 for 15.
The Monks opened the final period with seven points on three straight points to increase their lead to 33-20 with 17:32 remaining.
Logan Nichols took matters into this own hands by hitting UMF’s next eight points, including two clutch shots from long range and helping UMF close the gap, 33-28.
The SJC defense rebounded and held the UMF offense without a bucket for the next seven minutes and scored 14 straight points, essentially putting the game out of reach for the Beavers with a 19-point deficit with 6:51 to go in the game.
Nichols’ second half surge of eight points led the Beavers as a team and added two steals and one assist to the mix. Saint Joe’s Steve Simonds and Craig Luschenat led all scorers with 11 points apiece.
UMF returns home on Dec. 2 for the home open against Maine Maritime at 7:30 p.m. A ceremony in celebration of a newly renovated Dearborn Gymnasium will take place prior at 4:45 p.m.
