Waterville, Maine - The Bates Bobcats came into Waterville this afternoon with confidence having beat Colby earlier in the season, searching for their first NESCAC win of the year. However, the revenge-hungry Mules stifled Bates' hopes in an 81-72 win, taking them to 11-10 on the season and 3-5 in the NESCAC.
Max Poulton needs to be studied. The 6'4 sophomore torched Bates, making for an electric first half. Poulton had 19 points coming from 3 three-pointers and contested shots that sent him to the line. He grabbed three rebounds, a block, and a steal on the defensive end. Down four points with seven minutes to go, Poulton swatted the ball out of the air and got fouled on a layup on the opposite end of the floor. His three-point play took the Mules within one possession but it didn't last long as Poulton grabbed a steal the next time down and knocked down a go-ahead jumper on the fast break. From that moment on the Mules led(albeit one possession–which Poulton responded to with a go-ahead three of his own), pulling away by as much as nine but a late surge from Bates ended the half 46-43.
Compared to the first, the second-half scoring was a bit more well-rounded. Both teams came out of the break tense, allowing Colby to capitalize on a few steals to jump ahead. On the offensive end, Lucas Green continued to have an impressive game. Green had eight points in the first half, missing only one jumper, but continued his good fortunes in the second half by not missing a shot. Liam O'Connell continued his high-scoring run of games with eight points all coming in the second half. O'Connell knocked down two threes and had two rebounds.
In the end, Colby won comfortably, capping off a remarkable weekend. Poulton ended as the team's leading scorer with 24 points and six rebounds. David Stewart had eight rebounds and points capping off a well-rounded display as he continues to get closer to a double-double.
The Mules host their third home game in a row and last of the season this Tuesday as the University of Southern Maine comes to visit. It's Colby's last non-conference game of the year and third before their regular season comes to an end.
