Presque Isle, ME - Visiting Northern Vermont University-Lyndon led the University of Maine at Presque Isle for most of the second half of Saturday's North Atlantic Conference men's basketball game. The Owls forged a tie late in regulation, however, then went on to gain a 102-96 overtime victory over the Hornets in the regular season finale for both teams. UMPI improves to 14-9 overall and 8-4 in NAC play, while Lyndon falls to 6-17 on the season and 3-9 in conference.
Lyndon grabbed their first lead at 6-5 following a Tyrese Harris (Fort Benning, GA) putback basket three and a half minutes in. Lyndon gradually extended their advantage until Brett Roy (Newport, VT) scored on a putback to give the Hornets a 24-15 lead with 7:57 to go in the half. UMPI rallied, however, and a Glen Jones jumper narrowed the Hornet lead to 37-34 at halftime.
The Hornets started fast in the second half. Zach Falkenburg (Bridgeport, NY) connected from three-point range to move the Lyndon lead to double figures at 46-36, 2:30 into the half. UMPI went on a quick 6-0 run to get back within four, but Lyndon built the advantage back to double figures when Antonio Carlisle (St. Johnsbury, VT) hit a jumper at the 12:00 mark.
The Hornets extended their advantage to 76-63, and appeared poised to go up 15 with 7:43 to go when Mondwell Bukle (Pyeongtaek, South Korea) appeared to score and get fouled. However, Bukle was instead called for an offensive foul, negating the basket and giving the ball back to UMPI.
Lyndon was able to keep their advantage between eight and ten points over the next several possessions. With 4:59 to go and Lyndon leading, 84-74, the Owls went on a 9-0 run, as the Hornets came up empty on five straight possessions. After a Jaden Phillips (Tempe, AZ) free throw broke the dry spell, UMPI's KJ Minter converted one of two free throws. Then after another empty Lyndon trip, Minter scored inside to put the Owls in front, 86-85, with 1:35 to go. Lyndon again came up empty, and Dany Harris was fouled and made one of two, giving the Owls a two-point advantage. Carlisle scored inside to tie things with 38 seconds left, and both teams came up empty on their final possessions, sending the game into overtime.
UMPI would take a quick lead in the extra session, but a Bukle three-pointer would tie things at 92 with 2:29 to go. UMPI's Griffin Guerrette and Falkenburg would each make one of two free throws, leaving the game tied, but UMPI's Harris would score the next four points to give the Owls a 97-93 advantage with 1:10 to go. Luke Fredsell (Whitesboro, NY) would score a basket, get fouled, and make the free throw to bring Lyndon back within one. The Hornets would not score again, however, as the Owls sealed the game at the free throw line.
Harris topped five double figure scorers for UMPI, finishing with 28 points and 11 rebounds. Guerrette and Gilbert Jean Mendez each scored 21, with Jean Mendez adding 11 rebounds and seven assists. Parker Onorato and Minter finished with 13 and 11 points respectively.
Fredsell led Lyndon with 25 points. Carlisle added 20 points while Harris and Falkenburg chipped in with 13 and 12 points respectively. Harris dished out a game high eight assists and Phillips pulled down a team best 10 rebounds.
UMPI made 39 of 83 shots (47.0%), but only two of 16 (12.5%) from behind the three-point arc. Lyndon was 38 of 81 (46.9%), including 10 of 18 (35.7%) from distance. The Owls owned a big advantage at the free throw line, converting 22 of 34 attempts to only 10 of 21 for the Hornets. The Owls also owned a 50-43 rebounding advantage.
With the regular season complete, Lyndon will look ahead to the North Atlantic Conference playoffs. The Hornets are seeded 5th in the NAC's East Division, and will travel to #4 seed Maine Maritime Academy on Tuesday. Game time is to be announced.
Photos courtesy of UMaine-Presque Isle Athletics.
