CASTINE, ME.-A strong start carried the Northern Vermont University-Johnson men's basketball to a convincing 74-60 victory over Maine Maritime Academy on Saturday evening.
The Badgers took the early lead and never looked back in their first North Atlantic Conference contest of the 2019-2020 campaign. Ayodeji Shokeye led the Badgers with 12 points, six rebounds and two assists, Kiyl Mack contributed 11 points, two assists, a rebound, a steal and a block and Robert Dubose chipped in with 10 points, a rebound, an assist and a block.
The Badgers used a 23-2 run midway through the first half to take a 34-13 lead at 7:21 and carried a 43-21 lead into halftime. The Badgers defense contained the Mariners attack holding them to 34.8% from the field in the first half.
Headed into the second half the Mariners put together a 15-3 run in the second half to close the gap to 65-48, but the Badgers held on for the 74-60 victory. The Mariners shot 38.7 percent from the floor and 40.0 percent from beyond the arc, while the Badgers shot 47.1 percent overall and 15.8 percent from beyond the arc. NVU-Johnson held a narrow 41-38 advantage in rebounds.
With the win the Badgers improve to 3-5 overall and 1-0 in NAC play. The Badgers return to action Sunday against Husson University at 2:00pm.