Waterville, Maine - There are three constants in life: death, taxes, and Max Poulton hitting threes. The 6'4 sophomore had another standout game, posting a season high 28 points in Colby's 74-72 win against non-conference opponents Salve Regina. The Mules narrowly escaped their Rhode Island foes, taking their record to 4-2 on the season.
Like the scoreline suggested, the teams were pretty evenly split throughout the half. The Mules started to pull away with five minutes left in the half as a go-ahead three pointer from Lucas Green followed up by two jumpers from Jack Lawson put Colby up 6. From then on Salve Regina could only get within 2 but only briefly as the Mules kept their lead three possessions away. Two layups from Kameran Rodriguez and one from Liam O'Connell added to their lead from inside the arc while a late three from Poulton to end the half pushed that lead to seven points. Colby led heading into the break 39-33 behind Poulton's 14 points and 5 rebounds as he shot 4 for 7 from beyond the arc. Lawson had an additional eight points in the half and seven rebounds.
Although the first half was close, both teams were even tighter in the second half. Salve Regina ended up outsourcing Colby 39-35 but it wasn't enough in the end. The half started well for the Mules as they capitalized on their six point lead from the first half. O'Connell brought the lead to eight while Lawson had yet another four points, this time from the free throw line. A fifth three pointer from Poulton gave Colby a thirteen point lead, the biggest lead of the game on both ends. From there the Seahawks started crawling back, going on a run to get within four. But right as they thought they were back in the game, Poulton hit yet another three and the next possession Lawson had a fast break dunk to give the Mules momentum. But the game continued on its 'slinky-like' form as Salve Regina drew within one just for Colby to stretch it back out to eight. With five minutes left, the score was finally even until Poulton and O'Connell pulled Colby back ahead by five just for the Seahawks to come within one with a minute left. From that point on it was all Colby as Poulton was fouled and sent to the line, making both; the same happened to Ben Kaczmarek to round out the game.
Poulton finished the game going 6 for 12 from three, or 50%, while Lawson had his third double double of the year with 14 points and 12 rebounds. The Mules are back in action December 1st as they travel down to Waltham, Massachusetts to take on #19 ranked Emory in the UAA Challenge.
