BANGOR, ME –
Andrew Fleming scored 22 points as the University of Maine Black Bears nipped McGill 70-63 in a men's basketball exhibition matinée between U SPORTS and NCAA Div. 1 teams at the Cross Insurance Center, Sunday.
McGill, which suffered a fourth straight defeat, concluded their preseason schedule with a 3-8 record, including 0-5 against NCAA squads. The Black Bears improved to 2-0.
Maine had a trio of players reach double digits in scoring. Joining Fleming were
Sergio El Darwich (13) and
Vilgot Larsson (10).
In a game that featured 12 lead changes, Maine held n 41-34 advantage after the opening half but McGill matched the Black Bears point-for-point (29-29) in the second half.
Leading McGill's offence was
Quarry Whyne, a sophomore guard who scored 15 points on 7-for-21 shooting from the floor, including one trey in five attempts. He added seven rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals in 33 minutes of court-time. The 6-foot-5 Montrealer ended his preseason with 77 points in five contests against NCAA opposition.
Guard
Sam Jenkins followed with 13 points. The physical education junior from Hamilton, Ont., shot 6-for-12 from the floor, including one three-pointer on five attempts. He recorded one rebound, four assists and two steals in 31 minutes played.
Rounding out the McGill scoring was freshman
Cameron Elliot (8 pts),
Antoney Bell (7 pts, 7 rbs),
Levi Londole (5),
JJ Hamel-Carey (4),
Jamal Mayali (4) and
Sami Al Uariachi (3), in addition to
Joshua Djanogly and
Zachary Lavoie-Toure with two apiece.
Maine shot 53.7 per cent from the field (29/54), including a 7-for 12 performance from the line. They went 5-for-22 from beyond the arc, while McGill went 5-for-14. McGill shot 37 per cent from the floor (20/54) and sunk 5 of 10 free-throw attempts. Maine had the upper hand in rebounding (42-28) and a 22-9 advantage in turnovers.
The Black Bears open regular season play in the NCAA's America East conference on Nov. 6, when they host Merrimack College.
McGill, which had a 3-5 mark against Canadian university squads, officially begins its 119th season on Thursday (Nov. 7) against visiting Laval, in the back end of a women's and men's doubleheader. Tip-off is slated for 8 p.m. at Love Competition Hall.
