Bates 75, University of New England 55
at Alumni Gym

BATES MEN TAKE HOME OPENER, 75-55, OVER UNE

In their 1999-2000 home opener, the Bates men (2-1) dispatched the University of New England Nor'Easters handily, 75-55, in Alumni Gym.

The Bobcats jumped out to a 35-25 halftime lead by outshooting the Nor'Easters (1-3), 53 percent to 25 percent from the floor. With the game tied, 9-9, Bates hit three quick baskets in a row, including a 3-pointer by first-year point guard Matt LaPointe (Beverly, Mass.). Lapointe had five points and five assists in the first half as the Bobcats took a 10-point lead into the lockerroom, 35-25, on a half-court buzzer-beater by sophomore captain Ed Walker (Roxbury, Mass.).

A 10-4 run over the first five minutes of the second half in which four different players scored gave Bates a 45-29 lead. UNE closed to within seven points with eight minutes remaining in the contest at 59-52, but the Bobcats closed things out with a 16-3 run punctuated by dunks from junior Rommel Padonou (Libreville, Gabon) and C.J. Neeley (No. Easton, Mass.).

Bates' Walker led all scorers with 22 points while grabbing a team-high nine rebounds and making a game-high six steals. Padonou and sophomore Alex Wilson (Duxbury, Mass.) each had 16 points, hitting a combined 13-of-16 from the floor. The Nor'Easters' senior guard Steve Huntington (Portland, Maine) led all scorers with 19 points, 12 of which came on 3-pointers. Junior forward Paul Clark (Middlebury, Conn.) had a game-high 16 rebounds to go with his 12 points. For the game, Bates outshot UNE, 52 percent to 32 percent from the field and 38 percent to 28 percent from 3-point range.

The Bobcats return to action on Thursday when they host Gordon College. Click Here For Full Box Score