Auburn, ME- A basketball game is usually the tale of two halves. That statement could not have been truer Saturday as the Mustangs built up a 22-point lead at halftime, out scoring the Knights of VTC 41-22, but then dropped the ball in the second half with the Knights coming back to take the lead at the seven-minute mark; but the visitors finally succumbed to the Mustangs 82-69.
CM roared out to an early lead with outstanding shooting and board dominance. VTC struggled out of the gate and limped into the locker room behind but obviously not quitting!
The Mustangs came out after the break and rattled off 6 straight points and the contest looked like it would be a blowout. Coach Hughes rallied his troops and they went on a 17-2 run to not only get back in the game but take a 2-point lead. However, the Mustangs didn't panic, stayed to the game plan, and continued to wear down the traveling Knights. Back to back steals in the last 4 minutes brought the lead back to double digits for the Mustangs and they never looked back.
Michael Connolly recorded a double double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. He was followed by Boston Caldwell's 16 points, 6 rebounds; Wyatt Hathaway's 13 points, 5 rebounds, and Jaeden Henderson chipped in with 12 points and ripped down 9 rebounds.
Coach Gonyea responded, "We need to give VTC a lot of credit, most teams get down by 20+ points and pack it in. They did not. I give their coaching staff kudo's for keeping their squad focused and not giving up. On our side, our twin towers, Michael and DeMarco are a handful for any team and proved their worth today."