PRESQUE ISLE, ME

The Owls played their third of four home games to start this 2025-26 season on Wednesday night as part of Veterans Appreciation Night. They brought in the University of Maine at Fort Kent Bengals for a rivalry game. In another close battle, it was once again a late rally that sunk the Owls who had control most of the way.

How it Happened:

Like against Fisher, UMPI opened up with the lead early. They found themselves in front 14-6 five minutes into the game, but UMFK started a theme that would stay true the whole time: they never went away. The Bengals rallied to make it a one-point game, but the Owls continued to keep their lead and even grew it to double digits shortly before halftime at 40-29. Their lead was nine at the break at 43-34.

In the second half, the Bengals started out hot, scoring the first seven points, and eventually took their first lead at 46-45 four minutes into the second half. They started the half on a 13-1 run before UMPI woke up and re-took a slim advantage. With the teams trading blows, the Owls held a 67-61  lead with six minutes to go. Then the Bengals decided to go on another run, refusing to let UMPI pull off one of their patented runs that helped them close out so many games last year, as it did on opening night this year as well. UMFK scored the next nine points in a row to go up 72-67, as UMPI trailed by multiple possession for the first time in the game, at the worst possible time. Fort Kent didn't let up, growing it to 77-70 with just over a minute left. With their backs against the wall the Owls battled to stay in it, and even had a great chance, down by four and with the ball, but couldn't capitalize on the opportunity. In the end UMFK did sink their free throws, and won by a score of 85-80.

Top Performers:

UMPI was led for the third straight game by Akhe McMichael who had 19 points, going 6 of 13 from the field, and sinking a couple threes. McMichael added four assists and six rebounds as well. Yuki Ishibashi had 12 points—all of which came in the first half as he had a pair of threes. Crazily, the 5'7 Ishibashi led the Owls in rebounds with nine as he narrowly missed his first career double-double.

Aleix Moreno was next in scoring with nine points and seven rebounds, as the Owls got more production from off the bench this time. Stephan Direny and James Yamshita had eight points each.

Next Up:

The Owls will have one more home game this semester as they host the University of Southern Maine Huskies on Saturday at 12pm. This will also be UMPI's last non-conference game before they play two league games starting next weekend.