MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Maine men stayed close to the University of Tennessee-Martin all game long Tuesday night, but they couldn’t catch the Skyhawks thanks largely to the efforts of guard Lester Hudson.

Hudson led the Skyhawks with a game-high 31 points in 35 minutes and hit two 3-pointers in the final minute of UTM’s 66-62 victory over the Black Bears in the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic second-round game.

Hudson hit 12 of his 22 shots from the field (54.5 percent) and also contributed six rebounds, four steals, and three assists.

“He had 32 in an exhibition game, 35 against the number three team in the country [Memphis] last night and 31 tonight, so he’s obviously a good player who’s hard to stop,” said UM coach Ted Woodward.

The loss leaves the young Black Bears 0-2 to start the season. The Skyhawks are 1-1.

Three of Maine’s five starters and four players overall scored in double digits. Senior center Brian Andre led the Black Bears with 14 points. He also grabbed six rebounds and added a blocked shot in 29 minutes.

There were eight lead changes in the second half, but Tennessee-Martin hit late free throws to hold off Maine’s fullcourt press. With the Skyhawks leading 59-57 and 90 seconds to play, Hudson connected twice from 3-point range to put the game just out of reach.

“I think honestly it was the last 10 minutes of the game and making plays,” Woodward said. “We didn’t make enough and they made just enough.”

Philippe Tchekane-Bofia came off the bench to provide 11 points and five rebounds in 18 minutes for the Bears.

Maine outrebounded UTM 18-6 offensively and 48-30 overall. The Bears also outshot UTM from the 3-point line, hitting 7-of-20 (35 percent) to a 9-for-33 (27 percent) for the Skyhawks. UTM outscored Maine 17-6 in fastbreak points and also won the turnover battle with a total of 14 to Maine’s 21.

The Bears have committed 50 turnovers in their first two games.

“Last night wasn’t typical, but we saw a pressure today and right now we’re not in a great offensive rhythm, but we are playing defense and rebounding,” Woodward said. “Richmond played mostly matchup and UTM plays pressure defense, so they were good tests against us.”

The Black Bears scored the game’s first nine points, with sophomore Mark Socoby hitting two 3-pointers during the stretch. Tennessee-Martin went on a 16-0 run to take a 25-22 lead, Woodward to call two timeouts. The team’s traded baskets and were tied 31-31 at halftime.

“We lost by two to an Atlantic-10 team and four points tonight, so we would have loved to come out with a win, but it’s good to see the things you have to work on,” Woodward said. “I like a lot of things, but at the same time there are a lot of things we still have to work on. I know we’re going to go through some growing pains at times.”

Socoby of Houlton finished with nine points and 10 rebounds for the Black Bears. Fellow guards Junior Bernal and Robby Hanzlik scored 13 and 10 points, respectively. Each also had six rebounds, but Hanzlik also led the Bears with five steals and four assists.

Gerald Robinson had 12 points and Joe Bailey added 11 for UTM.

SKYHAWKS 66, BLACK BEARS 62

Tenn.-Martin (1-1) Maine (0-2)

Player G AG F AF TP Player G AG AF TP

Robinson 2 10 7 8 12 McNally 0 1 0

Hay 1 4 0 0 2 Andre 6 9 2 14

Wright 2 6 0 0 6 Hanzlik 3 14 10

Weddle 2 7 0 0 4 Bernal 5 14 13

Hudson 12 22 4 6 31 Socoby 4 11 9

Riedewald 0 0 0 0 0 Hight 2 3 5

Simmons 0 1 0 0 0 Costigan 0 0

Pearson 0 1 0 1 0 Cook 0 3 0

Bailey 4 6 0 0 11 Bofia 3 7 11

Irarrazabel 0 1 0 0 0

Totals 23 58 11 15 66 Totals 23 62 15 62

Tennessee-Martin 31 66

Maine 31 62

3-pt. goals – Tenn.-Martin (9-33): Bailey 3-5, Hudson 3-10, Wright 2-5, Robinson 1-7, Simmons 0-1, Pearson 0-1, Weddle 0-4; Maine (7-20): Bofia 3-4, Hanzlik 2-10, Hight 1-2, Socoby 1-4

Attendance: n/a