Rogers scores 17 points in season opener

CONCORD, N.H. - Brandon Rogers scored 17 points and freshman Dallas Murray kicked in another 15, but the University of Maine at Augusta men's basketball team came up short in Friday night's season opener. The Moose (0-1) fell 76-62 to Williamson College of the Trades (2-0) in the first round of the Edward Jones Men's Tap-Off Classic hosted by NHTI. UMA plays today against Mass Bay Community College. 

The Moose trailed by as many as 14 points in the first half but closed the gap to five with 31 seconds remaining, thanks to a 10-3 run that was highlighted by six points from Murray (Newport, R.I.). The Mechanics Kevin Whitfield hit a pair of free throws with 12 second remaining to increase the lead to 37-30 headed into the half. Williamson used a 13-3 run to seal the victory in the second half. 

UMA out-rebounded Williamson 30-28, led by a game-high 12 rebounds from Rogers (Turlock, Calif.), who also dished out four assists on the night. Marry dished out a team-high five assists and notched a steal. Senior Keith Chesley (Clinton, Maine) scored 14 points on 6-15 shooting from the floor, while sophomore Noah Thompson (Yuma, Ariz.) scored eight points and junior Caleb McGuire scored six. (Whitefield, Maine).

Williamson had the hot hand from behind the arc, shooting 44% from three-point range in the win - ed by Whitfield who scored a game-high 21 points.