CASTINE – The University of Farmington (9-16, 8-10) wrapped up the 2014-15 regular season with a thrilling 71-68 overtime victory over Maine Maritime Academy (3-23, 2-16) on Saturday afternoon in conference play.
Maine Maritime made one more field goal and three-pointer than Farmington in the first half, but MMA’s seven free throws made the difference and led, 30-27, at the break.
UMF tied the game exactly four minutes into the second half after Pet Sumner made a three-pointer to even things up at, 34-34, apiece. For the next 15 minutes, neither team held a lead larger than five points.
With a minute remaining in the game, Eric Berry banked in a layup to give the Beavers a, 59-56, advantage. MMA’s Jason Hatch hit a pair of clutch free throws on Maritime’s next possession to keep the Mariner’s within one of the tying the game.
On the other end of the court, the Beavers could not get a bucket and MMA came down with the defensive rebound. After a Maritime timeout, UMF forced Hatch to the line with 13 ticks left on the clock. Hatch scored the equalizer, tying the game at, 59-59, but missed his second free throw and the contest was headed to overtime.
Like so many other games in basketball, the foul line determined the winner of this one. In the extra period, UMF sank 6 of 8 attempts from the charity stripe shot and shot 67 percent from the floor in overtime to hold on for the victory.
In his final collegiate game, senior Pet Sumner scored a team-best and tied the game-high with 19 points and made three field goals from beyond the arc. Nick Hilton shot 8 of 14 from the field for 18 points and gathered five rebounds. Eric Berry added 13 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals for the Beavers. MMA’s Jason Hatch matched Sumner with 19 points, grabbed six rebounds, and dished a game-high five assists.
Farmington ended the season today only two games short of replacing Lyndon State for the final playoff spot. The top six teams make the North Atlantic Conference Tournament which tips-off on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
