Maine Falls to UT-Martin

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Maine men's basketball team dropped a tough 66-62 decision to Tennessee-Martin on Tuesday night in the consolation of the Memphis Regional of the 2k Sports College Hoops Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer.

The Black Bears fell to 0-2 on the young season, while the Skyhawks improved to 1-1.

Maine was led in scoring by Brian Andre, who had 14 points and ripped down six rebounds. He was 6-of-9 shooting from the floor. Andre was one of four Black Bears to score in double-figures, which also included Junior Bernal (13 points), Phil Tchekane Bofia (11 points) and Robby Hanzlik (10 points). Hanzlik, a true freshman, had his first career double-figure scoring game in his first career start.

Maine as a team out-rebounded UT-Martin by a 48-30 count. The Black Bears have been impressive on the boards in the first two games as they are averaging 44 rebounds.

The Black Bears jumped out to a quick 22-9 lead midway through the first half. The run was aided by Mark Socoby's initial seven points of the contest. However, the Skyhawks regrouped and went on a 16-0 run to take a 25-22 advantage. The rest of the first half never saw the lead grow larger than four points. Maine scored the final four points of the half, including a pair of Bernal layups, to knot the game at 31 heading into the locker room at halftime. Socoby just missed his second-consecutive double-double as he logged nine points and 10 rebounds.

The second half saw six lead changes as the lead never grew larger than five points. A three pointer by Tchekane Bofia with :58 left pulled Maine to within 61-60. However, on the other end of the court, UT-Martin guard Lester Hudson knocked down a fall-away three to seal the win for the Skyhawks.