In a battle of the undefeated teams, CM fought off a furious second half Bulldog comeback and left Kirk Hall with a 95-81 win. Dean College entered the game at 13-0 and ranked #1 in the country in NJCAA DII ranks, while CM sat at 17-0 and in first place in the USCAA DII standings.
The Mustangs finished out the first half leading 52-44. A sluggish first 5-minute stretch of the second half allowed Dean to cut the lead to 56-50. CM regrouped behind the leadership of point guard Luis Medina and maintained a 6-10 point cushion until the 7 minute mark in the second half. Two Bulldog steals and follow up hoops propelled Dean to a 68-67 lead with 6:45 ticks on the clock.
Facing late game adversity for the first time in a few games, the Mustangs rallied keeping fresh legs in the game and forcing Dean into multiple turnovers resulting in CM baskets.
Energetic Shaun Hill came off the bench to lead CM with 25 points, Medina threw in 17 points, and Tim Flanagan added 15 points.
The Mustangs increased their record to 18-0 on the season. Next up, Eastern Maine Community College visits Kirk Hall Wednesday and Virginia Lynchburg from comes to town for a Thursday match-up.
