POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. – Despite its early exit from the NAIA Div. II National Tournament, the University of Maine-Machias was still feeling like it had a storybook season.

The Clippers (22-10) fell to No. 4 seed William Jewell 90-75 Thursday night, spelling the end of the school’s second trip to the national tournament. UNM made it the national tourney and compiled the second most wins in school history while under the guidance of first-year coach Randy Lee.

Lee, one of the youngest coaches at the tournament who graduated from South Carolina just nine years ago, was surprised how well the Clippers adapted to his style and vice- versa.

“I have to be honest when I saw it was an easy adjustment,” Lee said. “It didn’t take long for us to get to know each other.”

“We all adapted to coach right away,” added guard Bayi Handy, who had a team-high 18 points and handed out seven assists against William Jewell. “We got along with him great.”

The Clippers’ roster caught the attention of local media at the tourney. UMM was the lone team not to have a native son on its roster.

The home counries of the Clippers ranged from Canada, Bosnia and England. Even the players from the United States had diverse backgrounds, ranging from New Jersey to Hawaii.

Handy and forward A.J. Morgan, who had 11 points against William Jewell, said all was well throughout the season in the Clippers’ locker room.

“We come from different parts of the world and even the country,” Morgan said. “But we got along with each other right away. I think it’s because our personal lives are so much alike.”

Handy said with Machias being a small town the players had better had got along.

“We’re a one-McDonald’s town,” Handy said. “The population of town is only 1,500. Because it’s such a small town, we wanted to develop a family atmosphere.”

UMM finished its regular season on a roll, winning eight of its last nine games. The Clippers were ranked second nationally in 3-point field-goal percentage (.403) and were seventh nationally in steals (346).

Handy, who led the team with a 17.9 scoring average, was the lone senior.

“They’re going to have a great team next year,” Handy said. “I wish I could back.”

“Expect us back here next year,” Morgan said.