UMPI men come up short against VTC
RANDOLPH CENTER, Vt. — Despite every starter hitting at least one three-point shot against Vermont Technical College Friday night, the University of Maine-Presque Isle men’s basketball team fell behind late and could not overcome the Knights, falling 74-68.
The contest was the season finale for UMPI who finished 2011-12 with a 3-17 mark.
It was a game of runs in the first half with the Knights often threatening to break the game open before UMPI would reel them back in. After taking an early 23-13 lead, the Knights watched Presque Isle’s Gerardo Vasquez run off eight straight points behind the strength of two 3-pointers and a floating left-handed layup on the right baseline.
After VTC went up 29-22, it was the Owls’ Brad Trask, of Easton, who got hot. Trask scored UMPI’s next 11 points to give UMPI their first lead at 33-29.
Once again the Knights were able to stem the tide and go into the half with a slim 40-39 lead.
Tech began the second half on an 8-0 run and held UMPI at arm’s length for most of the half.
With 1:23 left in the game, another three-pointer by Trask pulled the Owls to within two, 66-64. After trading a couple of baskets, UMPI could not get over the hump and was forced to foul.
Trask finished his night with five 3-pointers, and led the team with 19 points.
