by John Edwards
Gaiters.ca
LENNOXVILLE, Que. – A 17-point, nine-rebound performance by Sean McNally and a double-double by Malachi Peay led the Maine Black Bears to an 81-54 victory over the Bishop’s Gaiters in a non-conference men’s basketball game tonight at the Mitchell Gym. McNally went six-for-seven from the field, while Peay scored 13 points and grabbed a game-high ten rebounds as the Black Bears cruised to the victory on the first game of their Canadian tour.
For Bishop’s (0-1), Oraine Green (Toronto, Ont.) led the Gaiters with 12 points, on four three-pointers. Forward Matt McLean (Ottawa, Ont.) scored 11 points in his first game as a Gaiter. Tim Hunter scored nine points, and led the Gaiters with five rebounds.
Maine (1-0) broke the game open with a 16-4 run late in the first quarter, as they took a 21-11 first quarter lead. Maine led 34-19 at halftime, as they took advantage of their height advantage to score points inside.
A 12-5 run for Bishop’s early in the third quarter cut the margin to 39-31 with 5:24 left in the third, but the Gaiters could draw no closer. Maine held the Gaiters to only one point through the rest of the quarter, and took advantage of some Bishop’s foul trouble. The Black Bears went 16-for-18 from the free-throw line in the period, as they led 59-32 after 30 minutes and cruised to the 81-54 win.
For the game, Maine outrebounded the Gaiters 44-29, and scored 48 points in the paint, to the Gaiters’ 14. Maine recorded ten blocked shots, with Mike Allison (Lynden, Ont.) recording three. Maine outshot the Gaiters 48% to 30%, and went 23-for-31 from the free-throw line. Bishop’s was only 5-for-8 from the line.
The Gaiters’ next action will be in the first weekend of October, as they will travel to Ottawa and Kingston, Ont.
