Bearcats roll past UMaine Aggressive play helps Binghamton get win

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VESTAL, N.Y. – Dwayne Jackson was 3-for-3 from 3-point range and 11-for-15 overall en route to a career-high 26 points as he led Binghamton University to an 80-55 basketball victory over the University of Maine men at the Events Center Sunday afternoon.

Jackson came off the bench to burn Maine’s zone defense on one end and make a career-high five steals on the other end for the Bearcats, now 12-14 overall and 8-6 in America East conference games.

“They just did a great job applying pressure and they also controlled the boards,” said Maine coach Ted Woodward. “They were also the more physical team for 40 minutes.”

The Bearcats took a 19-point lead into halftime and shot 58 percent from the field in the second half to maintain a firm grip on the game.

Guards Mark Socoby and Kaimondre Owes led the Black Bears with 15 points apiece. Owes also had four assists.

Freshman forward Troy Barnies of Auburn scored 10 points while getting a start in place of injured (foot) guard Junior Bernal. Freshman guard Malachi Peay came off the bench to produce five rebounds and four steals in 24 minutes.

“Troy’s been doing a good job and I liked the way he finished around the basket,” Woodward said. “He’s tough and I like what I saw out of him and Sean McNally.

“We just need to get a few more consistent contributions from guys who are playing regularly.”

Maine was also without the services of starting center-forwards Brian Andre (broken nose) of Bingham and Jordan Cook (ankle) of Hampden.

“We only had eight scholarship players dressed for the game and five of them were freshmen,” Woodward said. “Jordan made the trip and we hope to have him back soon.”

Sophomore Lazar Trifunovic had 14 points and eight rebounds while fellow forward Reggie Fuller had his third double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 boards. Mike Gordon had seven points, a game-high seven assists, and five steals.

Binghamton didn’t start strong as it missed 10 of its first 12 shots, but broke open a tie (12-12) game by hitting eight of its next 11, outscoring the Bears 23-4, and holding Maine to one field goal in the final 7:46 of the first half.

BEARCATS 80, BLACK BEARS 55

Maine (7-18) Binghamton (12-14)

Player G AG F AF TP Player G AG AF TP

Barnies 4 5 0 0 10 Trifunovic 5 10 4 6 14

McNally 2 6 0 0 4 Fuller 5 12 12

Bofia 1 3 4 5 6 Gordon 2 9 7

Hanzlik 0 1 0 0 0 Forbes 4 7 9

Socoby 4 8 5 7 15 Lukusa 2 4 6

Owes 3 9 9 12 15 Camara 1 1 0 2

Costigan 1 5 0 0 3 Herbert 1 4 2

Peay 1 3 0 0 2 Henry 1 1 0 2

Jackson 11 15 1 26

Mntgmry 0 0 0 0

Totals 16 40 18 24 55 Totals 32 63 12 19 80

Maine 16 55

Binghamton 35 80

3-pt. goals – Maine (5-13): Barnies 2-3, Socoby 2-4, Costigan 1-2, McNally 0-1, Bofia 0-1, Owes 0-2; Binghamton (4-13): Jackson 3-3, Forbes 1-3, Gordon 0-2, Lukusa 0-2, Herbert 0-3

Attendance: 4,385