In a shocking turn of events, the Maine Black Bears, ranked 345th in the nation, took down the University at Albany Great Danes, ranked 307th, by a score of 52-49. This stunning upset will send ripples through the college basketball world, as Maine, with a record of 4-17, defied expectations to emerge victorious. The Black Bears' win is all the more impressive considering they were facing a UAlbany team that had a slightly better record, at 7-13.
Mekhi Gray led the charge for Maine, scoring 13 points, including several crucial baskets late. He was joined by Logan Carey, who also contributed 13 points, and Ace Flagg, who chipped in with 12 points and 8 rebounds. The trio's combined efforts proved too much for the Great Danes to handle, as Maine's balanced attack allowed them to control the tempo of the game.
On the other side, Abdoulaye Fall was the standout performer for UAlbany, tallying 16 points and 5 rebounds. However, despite his best efforts, the Great Danes were unable to overcome Maine's stifling defense, which held them to a meager 16 points in the second half. UAlbany had gotten off to a strong start, taking a 33-24 lead into halftime, but they were unable to sustain their momentum after the break.
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The game was a closely contested, back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets throughout. However, as the clock wound down, Maine's defense began to assert itself, holding UAlbany to just 16 points in the second half. This marked a significant departure from the first half, where the Great Danes had looked dominant, scoring 33 points.
Notably, CHD Scout had predicted a narrow Maine victory, with a margin of 1.4 points. In the end, the Black Bears' 3-point win validated this forecast, demonstrating the accuracy of the prediction model.
This result has real consequences for both teams' tournament resumes. For Maine, the win, although a Quadrant 4 victory, provides a much-needed boost to their profile. Meanwhile, UAlbany's loss, also a Quadrant 4 defeat, will likely hurt their chances of making a deep postseason run. As the season wears on, the Great Danes must regroup and refocus if they hope to salvage their tournament hopes. For now, however, Maine basks in the glory of a monumental upset, one that will be remembered for the rest of the season.