The University of Maine men’s basketball team lost its grip on a close game with the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers on Friday night, falling 80-62 in Minneapolis.
Trailing 49-43 with 11:51 remaining in the game, the Black Bears conceded a 16-4 Minnesota run over the next five minutes and couldn’t bring it back within single digits.
It was UMaine’s final non-conference game of the season, wrapping up a tough ending to 2023 that featured road losses to Central Florida (8-3), Florida International (5-9) and now Minnesota (10-3). Headed into America East Conference play, UMaine stands at 8-7.
On Friday, the difference makers were the Gophers’ efficient 3-point shooting (11-for-24) and physicality in the post (19 fouls drawn). Minnesota had four players convert at least two 3-pointers — including five for junior guard Mike Mitchell, Jr. — while sophomore forward Pharrel Payne (12 points, eight rebounds) scored five field goals and drew seven fouls down low.
“The guys battled — but we didn’t defend well without fouling, and let up some wide open threes,” second-year head coach Chris Markwood said. “We gotta learn from it.”
UMaine countered with double-digit scoring performances from senior forward Peter Filipovity (16 points, 13 rebounds), junior forward Kristians Feierbergs (14 points off the bench, five rebounds) and junior guard Kellen Tynes (13 points, seven assists). As a team, UMaine shot 44.8 percent from the field, but just 26.3 percent from beyond the arc.
The Black Bears’ shooting performance Friday night mirrored their season output. Through 15 games, UMaine is shooting an efficient 46.0 percent from the field, but a subpar 28.8 percent from deep. The opposition has shot 43.5 and 32.3 percent, respectively.
“We struggled against their zone,” Markwood said. “We had some good stretches in our zone offense, but it’s not easy to do against a Big Ten team.”
UMaine will begin conference play on Jan. 6 at 2 p.m., when the Black Bears travel to Vermont to play the reigning champion Catamounts. Then on Jan. 11 at 6 p.m., the Black Bears will host New Hampshire.
UMaine will play each America East team twice over the next two months, leading up to the conference tournament in March. Last year, No. 7 UMaine had a 7-9 conference record, and was bounced by No. 2 UMass-Lowell in the quarterfinals.
“All teams have a clean slate,” Markwood said. “I’m excited for the competitive fire that will be on display every night.”
