The UMFK Men's Basketball Program has a much storied history. The Bengals are proudest of the team's family atmosphere and the success enjoyed on and off the court.

        

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UMFK men drop final

2.24.08

South Portland, ME - Everything turned sour in a heartbreaking two minute span for the UMFK men's basketball team as they lost in the Sunrise Conference Finals for the second consecutive year, 67-64 to the College of Saint Joseph Sunday at Southern Maine Community College Gym in South Portland, ME.  The top seeded Bengals watched a four point lead (62-58) disappear in a flash as #3 CSJ ended UMFK's 12 game winning streak and received an automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament in Branson, Missouri with the win. 

Rue Carmon led all scores with a game high 35 points to go with 12 boards had scored four points in the last minute to help secure the win for 13-14 CSJ.  Tyler Herrington was the only other Saint in double figures with 14 points and senior center Rich Ortega added seven points and 11 boards.  Gediminas Sumyla (Vilnius, Lithuania) ended his stellar UMFK career with a team high 15 points while Jimmy Lopez (Fitchburg, MA) added 14.  However, the Bengals shot a dismal 37% from the floor including 10-33 in the second half and turned the ball over 16 times.  St. Kitts forwards Othniel Hyliger (10 points game high 16 boards) and Hamill Bassue (12 points) were solid for the Bengals in defeat while senior second semester comeback kid Billy Russo completed his collegiate career with a hard fought nine points and six boards. 

UMFK all but ends their season at 16-13 and will have to wait another year to make it to their first ever national tournament.  This seemed to be the year but a five point swing in roughly 10 seconds capped by a Doug Childs three pointer off a UMFK turnover sent the Bengals home following an impressive run through the second half of their season.  However, without a legitimate shot at an at large bid in a loaded NAIA II national field, the Bengals will have to spend another tough off season reflecting upon what could have been.

Bengal men advance to SC Final with 12 straight win

2.23.08

South Portland, ME – #1 UMFK won their 12th straight game and advanced to the SC Finals for the second consecutive year with a hard fought 73-65 win over #4  and three time defending champs Fisher College.  The top ranked Bengals rallied from a eight point deficit with 11:30 left in the second to get the win.  Five players reached double figures led by Lopez who had a team best 21 points.  Tri-Captain Yair Gal (Ashdod, Israel) came off the Bengal bench to score 15 points while Bassue had 12 points, Hyliger 10 and 11 boards and Sumyla 11 points and five helpers.  Stephen Rice and Louis Williams scored 21 points a piece for Fisher College who closed their season at 8-21 and 5-8 SC.

SC Final Four Banquet

2.22.08

South Portland, ME – The Sunrise Conference held their annual Final Four Men’s and Women’s Basketball Banquet prior to the Final Four Friday evening at Governor’s in South Portland, ME.  UMFK took home multiple team and individual honors on the evening. 

For the men, Jimmy Lopez was a 1st team member while Gediminas Sumyla was second team and first team All Academic.  Goran Nagradic (Croatia) and Yair Gal also were named to the All-Academic team placing three members on the prestigious team while Gal was honored as the top scholar athlete.  Eric Werntgen was named Coach of the Year and the 11-1 Bengals were presented with a 2007-08 SC Regular Season Champions plaque.

SC Men

Most outstanding scholar-athlete:  Yair Gal (UMFK)

Coach of the Year: Eric Werntgen (UMFK)

Player of the Year: Charles Calligan (UMM)

Rookie of the Year: Byron Jones (CANTON)

Team Sportsmanship: CANTON

MEN’S SC 1ST & 2ND TEAM

 

1st Team:

Charles Calligan (UMM) Jimmy Lopez (UMFK) Louis Williams (FISHER) Rui Carmo & Rich Ortega (CSJ)

 

2nd team:

Byron Jones (CANTON) Gediminas Sumyla (UMFK) Nathan Kirwan (VTC) Stephen Rice (FISHER) Eric Righter (UMM)

 

All Academic Team

Yair Gal, Gediminas Sumyla, Goran Nagradic (UMFK)

Bengals complete regular season with 11 straight win

2.17.08

 Paul Smith’s, NY – The UMFK men defeated Paul Smith’s College 71-61 Sunday to complete their regular season on a 11 game winning streak and will go into next weekends Final Four as the #1 seed.  Gediminas Sumyla (Vilnius, Lithuania) and Jimmy Lopez (Fitchburg, MA) led four players in double figures with 14 points each.  The Bengals (15-12 / 11-1 SC) built a six point lead at halftime lead which they were able to maintain in the second vs. a much improved PSC team (4-17 / 4-8 SC).  Hamill Bassue (St. Kitts) added 11 points and captain Yair Gal (Ashdod, Israel) came off the UMFK bench to score 10.  Paul Dudek led the Bobcats with 19 points.

UMFK keeps rolling

2.16.08

 Canton, NY – Senior tri-captain Gediminas Sumyla (Vilnius, Lithuania) led five players in double figures with 19 points and added a team-high eight assists as UMFK defeated SUNY Canton 80-68 for their 10th win in a row Saturday at Clarkson University.  Othniel Hyliger and Hamill Bassue (both St. Kitts) recorded a double-doubles with “Big Show” getting 18 points and 12 boards and “Wuggy” getting 13 points and a game-high 15 boards.   Jimmy Lopez (Fitchburg, MA) added 15 points and freshmen Sam Bard kept a Canton rally at bay with 9 of his 13 points in the second half.  Byron Jones led Canton (4-17 / 3-8 SC) with 25 points and 10 assists.

Hyliger named top Rookie by SC and State

2.13.08

Canton, NY / Standish, ME - Freshmen power forward Othniel Hyliger (St. Kitts) has been named Rookie of the Week by the Sunrise and the State of Maine for his play in a 3-0 week for the red hot Bengals.  Othniel averaged 14 points and 14 boards in the three wins for UMFK who is on a nine game winning streak and has locked in the #1 seed for the SC Final Four Feb. 23rd & 24th @ SMCC in South Portland, Maine.  Up-dated Playoff Outlook

SC Weekly Awards   MMBCA Weekly Report

Fort Kent bids ‘farewell’ to seniors with clinching win

2.10.08

Fort Kent, ME – The UMFK men’s basketball team celebrated the careers of three seniors on the final home game of the regular season with a  81-73 win over the College of Saint Joseph (VT) in men’s Sunrise Conference action Sunday afternoon in Fort Kent, Maine.  Seniors Edmundas Akstinas (Vilnius, Lithuania), Billy Russo (Farmington, ME), and Gediminas Sumyla (Vilnius, Lithuania) were honored prior to the game and then led UMFK to their ninth straight win and clinched the number one seed for the SC Final Four February 23 & 24 at SMCC in South Portland, Maine.  Sumyla lead all scorers with 19 points and Othniel Hyliger (St. Kitts, SKB) shook off a rough first half to get his 10th double-double of the season as he had 18 points and 14 rebounds.  Super sophomore Jimmy Lopez (Fitchburg, MA) had 17 points and a season high seven rebounds while Hamill Bassue (St. Kitts) added 15 points.  Fighting Saint standouts were Rui Carmo (Fort Myers, FL) leading CSJ with 18 points and 11 rebounds, Tyler Harrington (Cambridge, NY) with 15 points, Richard Ortega (Manhattan, NY 12 points), and Doug Child (Freeport, NY) who had 11 points on the day. 

UMFK was up one at halftime and trailed by as many as eight midway through the second half before senior Sumyla sparked a rally that enabled the Bengals to pull away.  UMFK improves to 13-12 (9-1 SC) while CSJ drops to 9-13 (5-5 SC).  UMFK clinches the all important top seed for the Final Four and will look to stretch their over win streak next weekend as they head to SUNY-Canton and Paul Smith’s College (New York) for the final regular season week.

UMFK winning streak runs to eight

2.09.08

Fort Kent, ME – Senior Tri-Captain Gedminas Sumyla (Vilnius, Lithuania) scored a season high 25 points and eight assists to help lead host UMFK men’s basketball past Vermont Technical College 81-68 Saturday.  Jimmy Lopez (Fitchburg, MA) added 17 points and five helpers and Hamill Bassue (St. Kitts) had 16 for UMFK (12-12 / 8-1 SC) who has now won eight straight Sunrise Conference games after they dropped their league opener to Fisher back on Jan. 12.  They have since ran off eight straight behind the senior leadership of Sumyla and deadly shooting of Lopez.  In addition the Bengal team as a whole continues to show balance.  Freshmen Othniel Hyliger turned in his 10th double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 boards and all 10 UMFK players who dressed saw action.  For VTC, who drops to 5-12 and 3-7 in SC play, Jake Clough had 19 points and nine boards, Travon Groves 14pts and Nate Girwin 10 points.

Bengals get up early, downs rival UMM

2.6.08

Fort Kent, ME – UMFK defeated UMaine Machias 82-64 in men’s basketball Sunrise Conference action Wednesday night.  Jimmy Lopez (Fitchburg, MA) poured in a game-high 29 points (8-10 from 3PT) and freshmen Othniel Hyliger turned in another double-double with 13 points and 13 boards.  The host Bengals raced out to a 47-21 halftime lead and fought of a sluggish second to get the victory.  UMFK (11-12 / 7-1 SC) scored 29 points of 22 UMM turnovers but coughed up the ball 26 times on their own.  Bench play was also a factor as sophomore tri-captain Yair Gal (Ashdod, Israel) had 10 points and Sam Bard (Fort Kent) eight for UMFK who finished with a 21-11 advantage from the pine.  Senior tri-captain (Gediminas Sumyla) added 11 points and a game-high eight assists for UMFK who ran their winning streak to seven.  Charles Calligan led three UMM (15-10 / 5-3 SC) in double figures with 16 while Anthony McCoy had 13 and Noah Buehner 12.

UMFK escapes Boston with OT win,

Bengals hold onto #1 seed in SC weekly poll

2.3.08 

Boston, MA – Sophomore guard Yair Gal (Tri-Captain / Ashdod, Israel) knocked down 3-4 free throws in the final thirty seconds of overtime as UMFK got by Fisher College 77-72 Sunday in Boston.  The Bengals (10-12 / 6-1 SC) placed all five starters in double figures but struggled with turnovers (27) and from the free throw line (16-28) until Gal’s heroics.  Othniel Hyliger (St. Kitts) shared game-high totals with Fisher College’s Steven Rice with 18 while Jimmy Lopez (Guard Fitchburg, MA) added 15.  Hamill Bassue (St. Kitts) and Gediminas Sumyla (Vilnius, Lithuania) each had 14 points and senior power forward continued his solid comeback with 11 points and a team-high 10 boards.  UMFK outscored the host Falcons 10-5 in OT to get their sixth straight win and avenge their only conference loss to Fisher back on Jan. 12.  The Falcons (5-19 / 2-6 SC) were led by Rice and freshmen Louis Williams (16 points 12 rebounds) who knocked down a three with 20 seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime.  Fisher turned the ball over 28 times and made only 36% of their shots (31-86) from the floor.   

SC PLOTW

Bengals sweep weekly POTW awards

1.29.08

Canton, ME - The UMFK men’s basketball team (5-1 / 9-12 overall) is #1 this week on top of the SC as Sunrise Conference play has hit the midway point.  UMFK also swept Sunrise Conference weekly players of the week awards.

 

Sunrise POTW (Player of the Week)

Hamill Bassue (Jr., Small Forward, St. Kitts) has been named the POTW for his play in a 3-0 week for the Bengals who are ridding a five game winning streak into Fisher for a Super Bowl Sunday showdown this weekend in Bean-town. 

 

Sunrise ROTW (Rookie of the Week) 

Othniel Hyliger (Fr., Power Forward, St. Kitts) takes ROTW honors on the men’s side as he averaged a double-double in three SC wins for the red hot Bengals.

SC POTW

Bengals win fifth straight

1.27.08

Fort Kent, ME – The University of Maine at Fort Kent Bengals used the momentum from the win against SUNY-Canton Saturday to defeat the Paul Smith’s College Bobcats at home, 76-65 Sunday in Sunrise Conference men’s basketball.  UMFK got two double doubles from countrymen Hamill Bassue’s (St. Kitts, SKB - 20 points and 12 total rebounds) and Othniel Hyliger’s (11 points and 10 rebounds).  Senior tri-captain Gediminas Sumyla (Vilnius, Lithuania) and super sophomore Jimmy Lopez (Fitchburg, MA) rounded out the double figured scoring for the Bengals with 14 and 16 points each.  UMFK was able to overcome 31 turnovers and 14-26 (54%) foul shooting to get the double digit win.  UMFK out rebounded the visiting Bobcats and shoot 53% from the floor.  Standouts for the Bobcats were Paul Dudek (East Aurora, NY), 17 points and four steals and Floyd Thorne (Brooklyn, NY) and Gary Harris who each scored 10.  The Bengals move to 9-12 (5-1 Sunrise Conference) while PSC drops to 3-10 (2-3 SC).

Bengals get by Kangaroos
1.26.08

Fort Kent, ME – Speed and agility were the top factors in the men’s contest Saturday afternoon as the University of Maine at Fort Kent Bengals were able to squeak by the SUNY-Canton Kangaroos, 84-80.  Five players had double figures in points for the Bengals: Hamill Bassue (St. Kitts, SKB) with 20, Jimmy Lopez (Fitchburg, MA) adding 16, sixth man of the contest Goran Nagradic (Krutina, Croatia) contributing 13, with Gediminas Sumyla (Vilnius, Lithuania) and Othniel Hyliger (St. Kitts, SKB) both adding 10 points each.  Billy Russo (Farmington, ME) had a massive defensive day with 13 boards and three blocks on the day.  The Bengals out rebounded the Kangaroos 38 to 28- with more than double offensive rebounds making a difference in the contest.  Leaders for SUNY-Canton included Charles McCoy (Bronx, NY) with 20 points and 8 rebounds, Byron Jones (Glenarden, MD) firing 17 points, and Andre White (Bronx, NY) adding 14 points respectively.  The UMFK Bengals now advance to 7-12 overall, 4-1 Sunrise Conference while SUNY-Canton drops to 1-12 overall and 0-4 SC. 

UMFK breaks one streak, keeps another one going

1.23.08

 Machias, ME – UMFK used a 6-2 run in the final minute to snap a 60-60 tie and earn their first win at UMaine Machias since the 2000-01 season, 68-62 and run their winning streak to three straight following a six game skid.  Othniel Hyliger (19points 14 boards / St. Kitts) scored on a put back following two UMM free throws, then UMFK got a stop and senior captain Gediminas Sumyla (Vilnius, Lithuania) shook off a cold shooting night (0-10 from the field) to hit two clutch free throws giving UMFK a four point spread.  UMFK then came up big on the defensive end again with Hyliger diving into the stands to save a ball he had blocked off a UMM player with nine ticks left.  UMFK broke pressure with a beautiful pass from Sumyla (team high six assists) to Hamill Bassue (St. Kitts) who dunked at the buzzer for the final spread.  UMFK improves to 3-1 in SC play and 7-12 overall while the Clippers fall to 2-2 in conference play and 10-9 overall.  UMM was led by Anthony McCoy with 14 points and Eric Righter who had 12 points and eight boards.  2006-07 Sunrise Conference First Team Selection Charles Calligan was held to 11 points on 3-12 shooting.  For UMFK, Jimmy Lopez led four players in double figure scoring with a game-high 22 points (6-9 3PT).  Hyliger was impressive for the third straight game (all SC contests) scoring 16 points on 8-9 shooting and grabbing 14 boards for the second straight game.  Bassue had 15 points while Billy Russo was solid with 10 points (6-6 Free Throws) and seven rebounds.  UMFK now will have a weekend home stand vs. SUNY Canton Saturday at 3pm and Paul Smith’s College Sunday at 2pm.

Bengals complete weekend SC sweep in VT

1.20.08

Randolph, VT – Freshmen Othniel Hyliger (St. Kitts) scored a career-high 25 points and grabbed a game best 14 boards as UMFK defeated Vermont Tech 87-82 to complete a two game road sweep of Sunrise Conf teams.  Senior Capt. Gediminas Sumyla (Vilnius, Lithuania) turned in his second straight solid game at the point scoring 17 and dishing out five helpers.  However the story of the game came on from the charity stripe where UMFK knocked down 16 of 22 attempts.  Hamill Bassue (St. Kitts) also came up extremely big for UMFK (6-12 / 2-1 SC) knocking down timely second half jumpers and free throws and holding Vermont Tech’s Nate Kirwan to 13 points a day after he dropped 30 on UMM in a 2OT loss.  Justin Wilson led VTC with 21 points and John Miller added 15 put UMFK was able to keep the home Green Knights (5-10 / 0-3 SC) at bay with solid rebounding, defense and 72% foul shooting.  Jimmy Lopez (Fitchburg, MA) added 10 points and the inside strength of brothers Billy and Dave Russo (Farmington, ME / eight points and eight boards each) gave the Bengals plenty of pop on both ends.

Bengals turn season around

1.19.08

Rutland, VT – UMFK raced out to a 50-33 halftime lead and then held off a frantic College of Saint Joseph (VT) rally to escape with a 78-76 win in Rutland, Vermont.  The Bengals evened their Sunrise record at 1-1 and effectively erased some hard weeks as they lost key players and dropped one sided games to Daemen and Houghton College on a trip to Niagara Falls, NY and then got beat by Fisher at home by 12 prior to perhaps the lowest point of their season as season rival UMPI beat UMFK for the first time in 13 years 81-68 on January 16.  The Bengals were able to put all that negativity behind them in a solid win on the road to one of the Sunrise Conference favorites.  UMFK (5-12) will now move into that category of SC favorites as quickly improving big Othneil Hyliger (St. Kitts) and super sophomore Jimmy Lopez (Fitchburg, MA) led the Bengals with 16 points each and senior tri-captain Gediminas Sumyla (Vilnius, Lithuania), returning to action from a wrist injury, scored 15 points and dished out 4 dimes.  Sumyla fought food poisoning for much of the contest but was able to battle through the game to help give UMFK its biggest win of the season.  Junior forward David Russo (Farmington, ME), returned to action for the first time in a year, to score 13 points off a vastly improved Bengal bench who have regrouped to now make a serious run at their first ever SC title.  The Fighting Saints stormed back behind a game-high 29 points from Rue Carmo.  CSJ (6-8 / 2-1 SC) was down 23 with 11minutes left before making their charge.  UMFK aided the comeback by shooting a dismal 8-25 from the line in the second half and 14-38 for the game.  Rich Ortega added 24 points (20 in the 1st) for CSJ and Hamill Bassue (St. Kitts) had 10 for UMFK.

Owls halt 13 year skid with win over Bengals

1.16.08

Presque Isle, ME – The UMFK vs. UMPI men’s basketball rivalry has been revived, as the host Owls beat their county rivals for the first time in 13 years, 81-68 in convincing fashion.  Coach Carlos added four players at semester break and lost two starters while Coach Werntgen’s Bengals added David Russo (Fwd / Farmington, ME) and reserve Lawrence Oliver (G / Aliceville, AL) back to action but were still without the services of senior captain Gediminas Sumyla (Vilnius, Lithuania).  UMPI thoroughly outplayed UMFK in both half’s behind the play of transfers Ronald Spencer (game high 30 points), James Gregory (20 points) and big man Allan Stroud (12 points 10 boards).  UMFK was led by Jimmy Lopez (Fitchburg, MA) with 29 points but lost sophomore tri-captain point guard Yair Gal (10 first half points / Ashdod, Israel) to a second half injury.  Russo returned to action but struggled while twin brother Billy saw vast improvement from his first game Jan 12 vs. Fisher as he banged inside with the Owls for 12 points and 10 boards.  The Bengals second semester growing pains continue as they now must hit the road to Vermont to face CSJ-VT and Vermont Tech. 

Bengals loose Sunrise home opener

1.12.08

Fort Kent, ME – Louis Williams led all scorers with 27 points to help lead Fisher College over UMFK 80-68 in a mutal SC opener Saturday in Fort Kent. Jordan Gaffney added 15 points and Oscar Brown had 13 points and nine rebounds for Fisher (3-11 / 1-0 SC) who built an 11 point halftime lead and held off a UMFK second half rally to get the win. Jimmy Lopez (Fitchburg, MA) had 22 points while Hamill Bassue (St. Kitts) added 18 as UMFK erased the halftime deficit but were unable to solve the freshmen Williams who broke double teams to score or dish to open teammates late in the second half. Yair Gal (So Tri-Captain / Asdod, Isreal) also reach double figures with 11 for UMFK who falls to 4-11 and 0-1 in SC play as they search for a new identity following personnel changes and injury.  The addition of Billy Russo (Senior Fwd. US Coast Guard / Farmington, ME) who played in his first game Saturday in two seasons should add strenght and depth inside as well as experience.  Russo was the NAIA II leader in rebounds per game his freshmen year (2002-03).

Houghton punish wounded Bengals

1.9.08

Houghton, NY – UMFK competed their tour of up-state New York with a sound beating at the hands of Houghton College 90-60.  The home Highlanders fought off early shooting woes and stingy Bengal defense to run away in the second half from a Bengal roster playing only six players for the second straight day.  As a result, Houghton placed all players dressed in the scoring column for the second straight day led by power forward You Amzulime’s 24 point 10 rebound effort.  UMFK (4-10) was led by Othniel Hyliger who scored 19 points and grabbed 14 boards.  The freshmen power forward from St. Kitts was a bright spot in an otherwise tough second straight rout by Bengal oppenents.  Hamill Bassue (St. Kitts) added 11 and sophomore Jimmy Lopez, playing 40 mins for the second straight day, added 10.  The Bengals must now return to Fort Kent on a 15 hour bus trip and prepare for a Saturday show down with three time Sunrise Conference Champs Fisher College (MA) in a mutual Sunrise Conference opener.

Daemen runs over Bengals

1.8.08

Amherst, NY – Dan Stroud scored a game high 24 points as every Daemen College player dressed scored in a 94-58 rout over visiting UMFK in upstate New York.  Daemen, who beat UMFK 80-71 on December 8 in Fort Kent took advantage of a depleted UMFK roster who lost key players to injury, eligibility and transfer over break.  Jimmy Lopez (Fitchburg, MA) led UMFK with 17 points in 40mins as the Bengals dressed seven and only played six.  Senior, Gediminas Sumyla (Vilnius, Lithuania) will be forced to sit another week with a bum wrist and is only going to be used in emergency situations.  Othniel Hyliger (St. Kitts) added 11 for UMFK (4-9) and Yair Gal (So Tri-Captain / Ashdod, Isreal) had 10 points.  However, UMFK was no match for the Wildcats who moved to 9-7 with the win and will threaten for a NAIA II National Automatic bid in the American Mideast Conference North division.

Men's Basketball drops out of UMPI Tourney

12.15.07

Presque Isle, ME - UMaine Augusta men's & women's basketball teams dropped out of this past weekend's scheduled UMPI Star City men's & women's basketball tourney late Friday prompting UMFK to do the same Saturday afternoon as both schools cited travel issues due to the Nor'easter rolling through Maine.  Following UMA's cancellation, the Bengals were left with only one re-scheduled game vs. UMPI on Sunday and the threat of 15-20 inches of snow forced UMFK out.  The men's team will now be on final exam and semester break and will not return to action until January 8th when they travel to Daemen and Houghton College in up-state New York for men's & women's double headers January 8th & 10th.  The next UMFK home games will be the Sunrise Conference opener, January 12th vs. Fisher College (MA) at 1&3pm.

Wildcats hold off late UMFK rally

12.8.07

Fort Kent, ME –  Saturday afternoon’s 2007 Bengal Holiday Classic game was taken by the Daemen College Wildcat men as they defeated the University of Maine at Fort Kent Bengals, 81-72.  The Wildcats had four players in double figures led by the agility and touch of center Steve Kozaczka’s (Lackawanna, KY) who had a double-double with 21 points , 15 total rebounds.  Ryan Henry (Rochester, NY) and Mike Maisto (Jamestown, NY) both added 16 points while Devon Dawson’s had 10.  UMFK (4-8) also placed four players in double digit scoring led by senior forward Edmundas Asktinas (Vilinus, Lithuania) with 19 points.  Jimmy Lopez (Fitchburg, MA) had 17 on 7-10 shooting and Gediminas Sumyla (Vilnius, Lithuania) had 11 points and a season high eight helpers.  Frosh power forward Othniel Hyliger (St. Kitts, SKB) added 10 points.  The Wildcats (5-3) out rebounded UMFK 40-31 in the win and multiple second half runs by UMFK were answered by second chance Daemen conversions as they went 2-0 at the Holiday Classic.

Bees sting Bengals

12.6.07 

Fort Kent, ME – Savannah College of Art & Design placed five players in double figures as they wore down the UMFK men’s basketball team in the second half erasing a four point halftime lead to win 80-71 in game two of the 2007 Bengal Holiday Classic.  UMFK got out to an early 11-4 lead and had a four point lead at the break but got outscored 39-26 in the second as SCAD scored 18 points off 24 Bengal turnovers on the evening.  Xavier Blain-Cruz scored 21 points and Camden, Maine star Tim Stammen added 16 points and eight rebounds to lead SCAD.  The NAIA II Bees, out of the Florida Sun conference, also got 13 points from big Kevin Polit, 12 points and seven rebounds from Eze Andrews and 10 points, five assists and five rebounds from Romell Witherspoon.  The 4-7 Bengals were led by soph guard Jimmy Lopez’s (Fitchburg, MA) game-high 24 points.  Small forward Hamill Bassue (St. Kitts) had 12 points and 11 boards.  Tri-captains Edmundas Akstinas (PF Vilnius Lithuania 11points), Yair Gal (G Ashdod, Israel 11points) and Gediminas Sumyla (SF Vilnius, Lithuania six points, six assists) were all solid in the defeat.

Bengals outlast Owls

12.5.07

Fort Kent, ME – UMFK used an early second half run to break a halftime tie and outlasted county rival UMaine Presque Isle 92-80 in the opening game of the 2007 Bengal Holiday Classic in men’s non-conference basketball action Wednesday night in Fort Kent.  Junior swingman Hamill Bassue (St. Kitts) scored a team-high 22 points and country-men Othniel Hyliger (Freshmen, Fwd) added a career-high 19 points and had 13 rebounds.  The Bengals (4-6) came out of the halftime locker room and built a 20 point second half lead but UMPI, behind a game-high 28pts from Dwayne Mitchell, answered with a 9-0 run of their own to get back in the game.  Starting guards Antony Wingate (20pts) and Thomas Wire (15pts) continued to hit big shots all night to keep UMPI within striking distance.  However Jimmy Lopez (Soph., Fitchburg, MA) scored all 10 of his points in the second half and added five assists to help put away the Owls (0-5).  Senior tri-capt. Edmundas Akstinas (Fwd., Vilnius, Lithuania) added 13 points on 6-8 shooting and had seven rebounds.  UMFK out-rebounded UMPI 44-25 and shot 59% from the floor.

Men's hoop team beat by Builders, get solid win over Thomas

12.2.07

The UMFK men's basketball team took a four point halftime lead over The Apprentice School (Newport News, VA) but ran out of gas in the second half as the Builders cruised to a 96-67 win Sunday at Central Maine Community College.  UMFK earned a solid 80-66 win over Thomas College on Friday night then dropped a 78-64 scrimmage to Central Maine Saturday prior to Sunday's loss.

Beacons hold off Bengals to take third place

11.24.07

Boston, MA – Terrell Maddox scored a game-high 24 points to lead UMass Boston over UMaine Fort Kent 68-64 in the consolation game of the 23rd Annual Harbor Invitational in Boston, MA.  Ernest Jean added 11 points and six rebounds and Amigo Paniagua had 10points and six as the host Beacons (1-2) were able to hold off a second half UMFK rally to get their first win of the season.  The Bengals turnover woes continued as they coughed up possession 18 times and also only shot 6-12 (3-7 second half) from the foul line. 

Senior forward and tri-captain Edmundas Akstinas (Vilnius, Lithuania) broke out of a season beginning slump in scoring 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, both season highs, to lead UMFK (2-5).  However, UMFK’s 18 turnovers led to 25 Beacon points and UMass hit some clutch shots down the stretch to secure the win.  Sophmore guard Jimmy Lopez (Fitchburg, MA) added 12 points and senior swingman and tri-captain Gediminas Sumyla (Vilnius, Lithuania) reached double figure scoring with 10 points.  Junior swingman Hamill Bassue (St. Kitts) had seven points and a team-best five helpers and  fellow St. Kitts countrymen Othniel Hyliger (Frosh. Power-Forward) completed his best weekend of play with nine points and nine rebounds for UMFK in the tight loss.  Lopez was named to the All-Tourney team for his efforts over the weekend.

FSU pulls away for first round win

11.23.07

 Boston, MA – Framingham State knocked down 10-19 three pointers led by Bill Carey’s 6-9 effort and pulled away from UMaine Fort Kent late in the second half as they earned a 82-66 win the first round of the 23rd Annual Harbor Invitational at UMass Boston.  The Panthers ended the game on a 9-0 run after UMFK had got to within seven at 73-66 with 2:45 remaining.  The Bengals (2-4) turned the ball over 23 times including four in the final stretch in dropping their third straight game.  Carey finished with a game-high 26 points and point guard Michael Costa added 18 and five assists.  UMFK was led by freshmen big Othniel Hyliger (St. Kitss) who scored 15 and grabbed 10 boards while guard Jimmy Lopez (Soph., Fitchburg, MA) also had 15.  FSU closed the first half on a 5-0 run and followed that with their game clinching run as the Bengals continue to struggle with taking care of the ball.  Josue Almodovar added 13 points and seven boards for FSU (2-2) and Royce Veal had 11pts.  Tri-capt. Gediminas Sumyla (Sr. G/Fwd., Vilnius, Lithuania) added 10points.  UMFK only shot 5-14 from the foul line and was 0-6 from behind the arc in the second.

Mules pull away from Bengals

11.17.07

Waterville, ME – Adam Choice scored a career high 28 points and grabbed a game-high 10 boards as Colby opened their season with a convincing 95-70 win over UMFK at Thomas College.  Michael Russell added 14 points and five rebounds off the Colby bench and starters Artie Cutrone and Mac Simpson had 11 each.  UMFK raced out to an early 10 point lead but couldn’t contain Choice and got out-rebounded 50-29 while also turning the ball over 22 times.  Colby grabbed 25 offensive rebounds which created many second chance points in pulling away for the win.  Jimmy Lopez (Fitchburg, MA) led UMFK with 17 points while Hamill Bassue (St. Kitts) added 14 points, four rebounds and three steals.  Gediminas Sumyla (Vilnius, Lithuania) had 13 points and dished out a game-high six assists.  UMFK drops to 2-3 with the loss and will next play at the Harbor Invitational Tournament this Friday and Saturday.  The Bengals open Friday at 5:30pm vs. Framingham State.

Edmonds jumper sinks Bengals

11.11.07

Fort Kent, ME – Andre Edmonds got free and hit a 15 ft jump shot at the buzzer as Hesser College beat UMFK 88-86 in the final game of the 2007 UMFK Bengal Tip-Off Classic.  Kendall Walker led five Blue Devils (6-0) in double figures with 20 points and 14 rebounds.  Tony Moore and Chris Murrell had 16 points each while Rupert Nettles came of the bench for 12 and Edmonds game-winner gave him 13.  Jimmy Lopez (Fitchburg, MA) led all scorers with 25 points for UMFK (2-2) and Hamill Bassue (St. Kitts, SKB) and Gediminas Sumyla (Vilnius, Lithuania) had 11 each.

Bengals Contain UMA

11.9.07

Fort Kent, ME– The men’s opener for this year’s Bengal Tip-Off Tournament resulted in a tough win for host UMFK against the University of Maine at Augusta Moose, 88-74.  The Bengals jumped out to an early 20 point half-time lead and then fought off a second half UMA rally to improve to 2-1.   Jimmy Lopez (Fitchburg, MA) led UMFK in scoring with 19 points while tri-captain Edmundas Askintas (Vilnius, Lithuania) added 13points, nine rebounds, and two blocks and Hamill Bassue (St. Kitts, SKB) had 15 points and fours steals.  The Moose were led by Chad Gray’s (Central CT) game-high 25 points while Deon Cheers added 14 points, 12 rebounds, and five steals.  Play continues Sunday for UMFK when they host Hesser College (NH) at 12pm.

Lee Academy Prep holds off UMFK

11.4.07

Fort Kent ME – Lee Academy Prep defeated University of Maine at Fort Kent 85-80 in a men’s basketball exhibition Sunday in Fort Kent.  The post graduate Pandas built a 45-34 halftime lead and held off a second half Bengal rally to get the win.  Chris Baskerville led all scorers with 28 points while Dorian Williams added 18 for Lee who received votes in the latest national top 25 prep school poll.  Jimmy Lopez (Fitchburg, MA) scored 19 of his team-high 21 points and Gedminas Sumyla (Vilnius, Lithuania) had 10 of his 11 in the second half to get UMFK back into the game.  Hamill Bassue (St. Kitts) and Edmundas Akstinas (Vilnius, Lithuania) added 14 points each for UMFK.

Bengals Fall to Citadels

10.31.07

Fort Kent, ME – The University of Quebec at Montreal strolled onto the University of Maine at Fort Kent campus Wednesday and scared UMFK stiff in the second half,  pulling away for a 80-73 men’s basketball victory.  UMFK built an eight point lead at the end of the first half but second half action was dominated by the propelling UQAM offense.  Leaders for the Division I CIS Citadins were Karim Gueye (10 points, 14 rebounds, two blocks, and two steals), Samuel Johnson (16 points, six rebounds, two blocks, and one steal), and Mario Joesph (14 points, two assists and one steal).  The Bengals had strong encouragement despite the loss from vets Yair Gal (So Tri-Captain / Ashdod, Isreal), who had 18 points, six rebounds, and four assists; and Gediminas Sumyla who added 14 points, four assists, two steals, and one block.  Freshmen Othniel Hyliger (Sandy Point St. Kitts) had 14 points and a team-best eight boards while Jimmy Lopez (Fitchburg, MA) had 13 and Edmundas Akstinas reached double figures with 10.

Bengals get defensive

10.21.07

Fort Kent, ME – UMaine Fort Kent held The University of Kings College to 37% shooting, forced 30 turnovers and blocked 12 shots in wining their home opener 82-63 Sunday in men’s college basketball.  Sophomore Jimmy Lopez scored 21 points and Gediminas Sumyla added 11 points for UMFK who used a first half serge to build a 39-26 halftime lead.  UKC battled back in the second but were unable to get the UMFK lead under double digits.  Kings was led by Clifton Riley’s 14 points and seven boards and Bannon Morrissy who had 13 points and seven rebounds.  Kings drops to 1-1 while UMFK starts the season at 1-0.