NEW BRITAIN, Connecticut — The University of Maine Black Bears gave up an 11-point lead in the second half to Central Connecticut State, but then outscored the Blue Devils 12-4 in the game’s final 4 minutes, 34 seconds to record an 81-74 men’s basketball victory Sunday.
Kevin Little scored 19 points and had five rebounds, two assists and two steals to help Maine (2-3) record its second straight win. Till Gloger chipped in with 15 points and five rebounds while Devine Eke added 11 points.
Maine’s Ilija Stojiljkovic grabbed 11 rebounds to help give the Black Bears a 47-40 advantage over the Blue Devils. Ryan Bernstein added five points, four assists and two steals.
Austin Nehls and Khalen Cumberlander each scored 15 points to lead the Blue Devils and Brandon Peel added 14.
The Black Bears turned in a solid 28-for-59 shooting effort (47.5 percent) from the field while holding Central Connecticut to a 27-for-70 performance (38.6 percent).
A jumper by Bernstein put the Bears up 56-45 with 13:36 left in the game, but the Blue Devils chipped away, capped by a an 8-0 scoring surge on a Cumberlander layup for a 70-69 lead with 4:34 left in the game.
The Black Bears responded by running off the next six points as Lavar Harewood made a layup, Garet Beal hit two free throws and Gloger converted a layup for a 75-70 Maine lead with 2:39 left.
Mustafa Jones answered with a jumper for the Blue Devils 30 seconds later, but the Bears took control for the final two minutes, outscoring Central Connecticut 6-2 to secure the win. All of Maine’s final six points came from the line, with Eke hitting three free throws, Aaron Calixte sinking two and Stojiljkovic making one.
The first half featured four lead changes until the Blue Devils ran off six unanswered points for a 30-24 lead with 6:14 left.
The Black Bears answered by outscoring the Blue Devils 16-1 over the half’s final six minutes for a 40-31 lead. Troy Reid-Knight ignited the run with a 3-pointer while Little and Gloger fueled the surge with five and four points, respectively.
The Black Bears return home for a 7 p.m. Wednesday contest against Army at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.