AUGUSTA, Maine - Sophomore Keith Chesley (Lawrence, Maine) netted season and game-highs in both points (26) and rebounds (19) Wednesday night as the Moose dropped a Yankee Small College Conference match-up with the University of Maine at Machias 85-71. The loss drops UMA to 1-14 on the season and 1-6 in the YSCC, while Machias improves to 6-3 and 4-3 in the conference.
UMA had the tall order, as the starting five were forced to go the entire game due to injuries. Despite the lack of subs, the Moose were able to out-rebound the Clippers 53-45, but struggled from the floor, shooting only 26.8 percent from the floor in the first half and less than 32% for the game. Machias, meanwhile, had the hot-hand, shooting 50 percent from the field en-route to a 44-26 halftime lead.
Garrett Alley (Union, Maine) joined Chesley with his own double-double, turning in 17 points and 15 rebounds, while Jesse Smith (Troy, NY) scored 13 and dished out seven assists. Caleb McGuire (Whitefield, Maine) scored nine points and Elliot Sibley (Ipswich, Mass.) scored six.
The Clippers had three players in double digits, led by Sophomore Brian Getchell (Roque Bluffs, Maine) with 16 points. Elias Gutierrez (Sarasota, Fla.) and Floyd Higgins (Orlando, Fla.) scored 14 and 13 points, respectively.
Game notes: Up next, the Moose travel to Concord, New Hampshire to take on NHTI in Yankee Small College Conference action.