LEXINGTON, MA
The Owls headed to Lesley, 1-3 in their first four non-conference games, but none of that mattered as they took the floor looking to get to 1-0 in league play. UMPI led almost wire-to-wire in this one as they were able to close out a 67-58 win.
How it Happened:
UMPI scored the first bucket of the game when vintage Dwaine Williams struck in the best way he knew how as he returned to the court after sitting out a couple of games due to a nagging injury. He buried a three-pointer, but Lesley then scored the next two baskets to go up 4-3. Fortunately for UMPI, this would be the only time they'd trail all game long. The Owls went on a 9-0 run to go up 12-4, and would use this small lead to their advantage the entire day as Lesley tried to catch up. UMPI led by as many as 12 at 28-16 with three and half minutes left in the first half, before Lesley closed out the half on a 10-1 run to cut it to 29-26 at the break.
Though UMPI did not shoot as well as they'd like at 29.6% from the field in that first half, their tough defense not only kept them in it, but kept them in front. This theme was true all day long as they eventually held Lesley to 58 points, the lowest mark all season for UMPI's defense.
In the second half the Owls shot much better from the field at 42.4%, all the while continuing to keep Lesley at bay. It hovered around a ten point game for much of the second half, with the Lynx never getting closer than five points. UMPI closed it out for a 67-58 final, as they never even cracked the door open for Lesley.
Top Performers:
Akhe McMichael led UMPI for the fourth time in their five games this season, with 17 points as well as seven rebounds to lead UMPI in boards also. He was 4-7 from the field and a perfect 8-8 from the line. McMichael would be the only player in double figures for the Owls, as next were Dwaine Williams and Aleix Moreno. Moreno added six rebounds. Tyson Enget played 34 minutes, by far the most of anyone on the night as his defensive presence was felt. He added eight points, four rebounds and a pair of steals. Stephan Direny also had eight points from off the bench for the Owls.
Next Up:
UMPI improves to 2-3 and 1-0 in conference with this win. The Owls will get right back after it on Saturday when they face Thomas College down in Waterville to try and get to 2-0 in NAC play. That game will tip-off at 3 p.m.
