Bengals Split with Augusta
On Saturday, the women’s basketball team squared off against UMaine Augusta at their Bangor campus location in a rematch from the first game of the season. In that one, Augusta jumped out to an early lead with some good inside play, but this time, it was UMFK’s defense that just swarmed the Moose like horseflies and ticks in the summertime. The Bengals held them to just six first-quarter points and built a 33-20 halftime lead. In the second half, UMFK continued its strong defense and started hitting from beyond the 3pt line, making four third-quarter threes to extend the lead to 25 going into the final quarter, all but sealing the deal.
It was a very balanced attack for UMFK, as five different players scored in double figures. Junior Hannah Jones led the way with 16 points and 11 rebounds. She was also named USCAA National Player of the Week. Senior Ranika Guyton was great all around, contributing 11 points, five rebounds, four assists, and five steals. Shenise West, Jayonah Chaboya, and Arieyle Baker also scored in double digits for the Bengals.
In the men’s game Sunday, the Bengal men fought hard for 40 minutes, but with only seven healthy bodies and the tallest guy being 6’4” it has just been a matchup struggle thus far. UMA started a 6’10” center along with two other 6’5” players. Sophomore Julian Hymes started out the game on fire, scoring the Bengals’ first six points, including a nifty backdoor, reverse layup to keep the game close in the first half. Augusta caught fire mid-way through the half and hit six threes against the Bengals zone defense to build a 20-point halftime lead.
UMFK played better in the second half, moving the ball and playing more pressure defense, holding UMA to just 30 second-half points, but in the end wasn’t enough. Hymes led UMFK with 16 points. Senior Mekhi Foreman chipped in with 15.
Bengals basketball will conclude their season on Sunday, March 21, at Husson University. The women will tip off at 1 pm, and the men will play at 4 pm. Live links are below:
- Women: [link no longer available] https://hussoneagles.com/sports/wbkb/2020-21/boxscores/20210321_ev1b.xml
- Men: [link no longer available] https://hussoneagles.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/boxscores/20210321_rapq.xml