Owls Hold Off Badgers 94-90

Owls Hold Off Badgers 94-90

JOHNSON, Vt.-The Northern Vermont University-Johnson men's basketball team fell to the University of Maine Presque Isle by a score of 94-90 on Friday evening. 

 The Badgers had five players that recorded double digit points. They were led by sophomore Robert Dubose (Philadelphia, PA) who poured in a game high 31 points on 11-18 attempts. Dubose currently ranks third in the North Atlantic Conference with an average of 16.9 points per game. On the evening, Winston Jones (Los Angeles, CA) scored 17 points. Vernon Slater (Washington, D.C) contributed 16 points, Donell Shaw (Washington, D.C) poured in 11 points for the Badgers and freshman Tyhee Taylor (Philadelphia, PA) recorded his second double-double of the year adding 10 points and a team high 10 rebounds.

 The Badgers and Owls stayed close throughout the first half. The Badgers jumped out to an early 7-3 lead until the Owls tied it with two consecutive made field goals. Shyquinn Dix and Wilburn Griffiths each connected on layups to close the deficit. The Owls held the lead for the majority of the first half after the initial run. With just seven minutes remaining Slater connected on a jump shot to bring the Badgers ahead with a 32-31 lead. The Badgers stayed composed defensively and got a stop as they transitioned for a layup from Jones. Leading 34-31 the Badgers continued to get stops on defense but could not connect on the offensive end. The Owls closed the gap and eventually took a 42-38 lead headed into the break. 

 Throughout the beginning of the second half both teams continued to trade baskets. The Owls eventually took their largest lead of the contest leading 53-43 with 17 minutes to play in the half. The Badgers tried to close the gap but didn't begin to make their run until the two-minute mark. With the score at 90-83 Donell Shaw connected on a shot behind the arc to bring the game within four points. The Badgers gave up an Owls field goal on the other end and Robert Dubose made on last attack as he drew the foul and got to the line and connected on two routine free throws.

The Badgers had to foul in the remaining seconds of regulation and the Owls connected on both free throws to round out the evening winning by a score of 94-90.

The Owls shot an impressive 63.1% from the field while holding the Badgers to just 47.8%. The Badgers aggressive defense allowed them to turn the Owls over 20 times. With the loss the Badgers fall to 3-19 overall and 2-10 in North Atlantic Conference play. The Owls improve to 10-13 and 4-9 in the conference. 

 

UP NEXT

The Owls will face University of Maine Presque Isle Saturday, February 9 at 1:00pm.