Bears prevail in OT

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FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Ernest Turner’s 3-pointer from the right side with 4 1/2 seconds left in regulation sent the game into overtime and the Black Bears rallied for a 67-64 men’s basketball victory over Indiana University-Purdue University-Fort Wayne Thursday night.

Turner’s shot came 4 1/2 seconds after IPFW’s Beau Bauer hit the first but missed his second free throw to give Maine a chance to tie. An IPFW shot at the buzzer went off the rim.

Maine led by as many as 12 points early in the game, but had to play catchup down the stretch, thanks in large part to 23 turnovers.

Junior guard Kevin Reed had a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds to pace the 5-4 Black Bears.

Senior forward Mark Flavin enjoyed his best game of the season with 17 points, seven boards, and three blocks.

“He’s had a bit of a struggle to start the season and he really over the last days has been living up to our expectations and I really like the way he responded the last week or so,” said Maine coach Ted Woodward. “I’m very pleased with how he was able to step up with David Dubois injured.”

Flavin had been struggling much of the early season and started only three of the first eight games while averaging 5.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. He also played solid defense on IPFW star big man David Simon.

“He moved his feet and didn’t foul him and I was proud of the way he played,” Woodward said. “As good as he played offensively, I’m more proud of the way he played defensively.”

Sophomore swingman Chris Bruff came off the bench for 10 points and seven boards in 22 minutes. Chris Markwood dealt out a game-high seven assists for the Black Bears.

“I have confidence in Chris,” Woodward said. “I believe he’s a winner and he’s starting to find his game.”

The Bears gave a good account of themselves in the paint, scoring 22 points and outrebounding a sizeable Mastodons lineup 47-39 overall.

Mastodons All-American candidate Simon was held in check. The 6-foot-10 forward-center hit only five of 16 shots for 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

“They only scored two points in the first 31/2 minutes of overtime, so our defense played very well throughout the game,” Woodward said.

Bauer led the 3-9 Mastodons with 15 points and seven steals while Quintin Butler chipped in with 13 points.

BLACK BEARS 67, MASTODONS 64 (OT)

Maine (5-4) IPFW (3-9)

Player G AG F AF TP Player G AG AF TP

Turner 5 13 2 4 14 Hawkins 2 2 8

Flavin 7 14 3 4 17 Carouthers 4 10

Reed 4 12 0 0 10 Bauer 3 16 8 12 15

Campbell 1 1 1 2 3 Butler 5 12 13

Markwood 4 8 0 0 9 Simon 5 16 16

Bruff 4 9 1 2 10 Bourne 0 1 0

Hight 0 0 0 0 0 Malone 1 7 2

Ahvenniemi 1 2 2 2 4 Egeric 0 0 0

Totals 26 59 9 14 67 Totals 20 63 20 28 64

Maine 33 59 67

Ind.-Purdue-FW 29 59 64

3-pt. goals – Maine (6-21): Turner 2-4, Reed 2-10, Markwood 1-2, Bruff 1-4, Flavin 0-1; IPFW (4-14): Hawkins 2-2, Butler 1-1, Bauer 1-6, Simon 0-1, Bourne 0-1, Malone 0-3

Attendance: 2,384