Big second half carries Bengals over JWU

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND/Fort Kent - The University of Maine at Fort Kent men's basketball team used a strong second half to beat Johnson and Wales University 80-75 in non-league action from Providence, Rhode Island Saturday afternoon at the Harborside RAC.

UMFK erased a six-point half-time deficit (26-31) by opening the second half on a 14-1 run. Jeremy Thomas of Detroit, Michigan, hit four straight three-pointers during the run which gave UMFK a 39-32 lead.  JWU (2-8) would climb back into the contest, but a big three-point play by junior forward Pablo Llamas of Leon, Spain with 1:14 left, put UMFK up six (73-67).

UMFK made six of seven free throws down the stretch to seal the win.

Llamas finished the contest with 15 points and a game-high five steals while also drawing defensive duties on NCAA III scoring leader Lamonte Thomas, who was held 13 points below his 34 points-per-game with 21 on the day.

Senior Manny Odugbela of Providence, Rhode Island, went 9-18 on his way to 21 points and Othniel Hyliger of Sandy Point, St. Kitts, had nine points, seven boards and a team-high four dimes.

The Bengals (7-5) will play Sunday at 1 p.m. vs. Virginia University Lynchburg at the St. Andrews School in Barrington, Rhode Island.