MOOSE TAME THE LYNX AS PLAYOFFS DRAW NEAR

In an exhilarating contest held on February 10, 2025, at the Augusta Civic Center, the UMA Moose Men's Basketball team emerged victorious against NHTI with a final score of 84-68. The game was filled with action and showcased impressive talent from both sides, but it was the UMA's second-half surge that ultimately secured the win.

**First Half:**
The opening half of the game saw both teams trading baskets, with the Moose managing to hold a narrow lead of 39-32 at the halftime break. Trevor Beals distinguished himself as a key player for UMA, racking up an impressive 21 points. Meanwhile, NHTI's Joseph Cantey kept his squad competitive, delivering a standout performance with 22 points, effectively driving to the basket and showcasing his scoring prowess.

**Second Half:**
As the game progressed into the second half, the Moose began to pull away, outscoring NHTI 45-36. Yonas Medfu played a pivotal role in this effort, contributing 24 points and dominating the boards with 15 rebounds, proving to be an imposing force in the paint. NHTI faced challenges in maintaining their offensive rhythm, which led to a decline in their shooting percentage, finishing at just 29.4% for the entire game.

**Team Statistics:**
- NHTI struggled with their shooting, managing to hit only 29.4% of their attempts from the field (25 of 85) and 22.0% from three-point territory (11 of 50). However, they were efficient at the free-throw line, converting 87.5% of their opportunities (7 of 8).
- In contrast, UMA demonstrated much greater efficiency, hitting 51.6% of their shots (32 of 62) and 33.3% from beyond the arc (6 of 18). They also finished with a free-throw percentage of 60.9% (14 of 23).

**Key Contributors:**
- For NHTI, the standout performances came from Joseph Cantey, who notched 22 points along with 6 rebounds, Donald Brown, who added 13 points and 6 rebounds, and Isaiah Ayers, who contributed 3 points and 3 rebounds.
- For the Moose, success was driven by Trevor Beals, who not only scored 21 points but also grabbed 14 rebounds. Yonas Medfu's impressive 24 points and 15 rebounds, along with TJ Wilson's solid effort of 15 points and 4 assists, were crucial in their team's victory.

This impressive win not only boosts UMA's confidence but also sets a positive tone as the they head towards the postseason with momentum.