BURLINGTON, Vt. — The Maine Black Bears clinched a significant victory against Vermont with a score of 57-42 in a semifinal matchup of the America East Conference Tournament held on Tuesday. This victory propels Maine, the third seed with a record of 20-13, into the championship game scheduled for Saturday where they will face the top-seeded Bryant. Bryant secured their place in the final after defeating Albany in the other semifinal game on Tuesday night.
The Black Bears have gained momentum with this triumph, marking their third consecutive win after previously losing four out of five games. Kellen Tynes made a substantial contribution to the team’s success, scoring 13 points while also adding 13 rebounds, three steals, and three blocks to his impressive performance. AJ Lopez also played a pivotal role, adding 12 points with a shooting record of 5-of-12 from the field, including 1-of-5 from three-point range, and converting 1-of-4 from the free-throw line.
On the other side, the Vermont Catamounts, who entered the tournament as the second seed with a 20-11 record, found themselves unable to overcome the Black Bears’ defense. Ileri Ayo-Faleye emerged as the leading scorer for Vermont with 14 points, alongside six rebounds and two blocks. Sam Alamutu supported with eight points and an impressive 21 rebounds, while Nick Fiorillo secured seven points and six rebounds. Vermont’s defeat halts their eight-game winning run.
Maine took control early on, taking the lead with only 19:07 remaining in the first half and maintaining their advantage throughout the rest of the game. This win sets the stage for an exciting showdown in the championship game as the Black Bears aim to continue their winning streak against Bryant.
