PRESQUE ISLE Maine — The University of Maine at Presque Isle men’s basketball team clinched its second North Atlantic Conference playoff berth in a row after beating Northern Vermont University 74-48 on Saturday, Feb. 15 and 73-68 Sunday, Feb. 16.
According to the university’s Sports Information Director Mark Knight, the Owls came out with a defensive mindset Saturday, holding the Badgers to 21 first half points and 35 percent shooting from the field. The Owls had a 40-point first half. A big second half put the game away, led by the Owls’ team defense holding the Badgers to 31 percent shooting.
The team was led on the offensive side, by Griffin Guerrette (Presque Isle), who finished with 22 points off 6-9 from the field, a perfect 3-3 from the three and 7-8 from the free throw line. Guerrette added seven rebounds to his stat line as well.
Te’Von Hines (Alexandria, Virginia) finished with 16 points on 6-11 shooting. Shyquinn Dix (Stamford, Connecticut) had 14 points on 50 percent shooting and added seven rebounds. The Owls outrebounded the Badgers 42-25, led by KJ Minter (Elkton, Maryland) with 11 boards.
The Owls notched another win Feb. 16 behind the late game efforts of Dix. The Owls and Northern Vermont Badgers fought throughout, the largest lead being seven in favor of the Badgers. With three minutes to go in the game, Dix sank back-to-back three-pointers within a minute to tie the game at 68. Another three by Dix gave the Owls the three-point lead with just 40 seconds remaining in the game. A goal by the Owls sealed the win.
Dix led all scorers with 26 points off 10-15 shooting, 4-6 from the three to go along with eight rebounds, four assists and four steals. DeAndre Duncombe (Port St. Lucie, Florida) finished with 16 points on 7-10 shooting.
Also on Sunday, the Owls celebrated senior day for four players.
Forward Chad Bartlett from Bradley played his first year with the men’s basketball team and also received a plaque for Senior Scholar Athlete, which he was awarded in the fall with the men’s soccer team.
Eric Anthony from Baltimore, Maryland, was honored in his second year with the Owls. The guard is also a team captain.
Te’Von Hines from Alexandria, Virginia, is also a captain. The guard was honored in his second year with the team.
Finally, Wilburn Griffith from Queens, New York, is in his third year with the Owls and was one of Coach Kane’s first recruits.
