AUBURN - The Central Maine Community College men's basketball team shook off the lingering doldrums of a long two-game road trip and ditched Washington County Community College with an 88-80 victory on Sunday afternoon at Kirk Hall.

 The Golden Eagles took advantage of the Mustangs - who rolled into Auburn late Saturday night - in the first half and jumped out to a 36-33 lead.

 CM's brief respite at halftime seemed to help, with the Mustangs unleashing a more vibrant 55-point performance in the second half.

 "This is our third game in three days and I think the kids realized how challenging it was going to be," CMCC coach Dave Gonyea said. "I think you saw a little grogginess in the first half. I tried to get a lot of guys in. "I think the kids understand that. Now we get a break for a couple of days.

 "Harry Bates and Jeremiah Simeon really stepped up big, which I felt good about that. The kids played better together in the second half and kept our composure."

 Guard Jackson Birmingham took command at the point and paved the way for CM with a team-leading 20-point performance. He also went 5-for-7 at the free-throw line and pulled down nine rebounds.

 Bates, a 6-foot-8 center who scored 15 points, credited the entire team for stepping up after being on the road for three days.

 "We had a lot of people to sub in," he said. "I felt myself like I was a little bit tired. I don't know that the score was at halftime, but I feel like we turned it up in the second half. I feel like our energy was good (in the second half). We were pushing the ball, which was good." 

 Guard Wyatt Hathaway dropped in four 3-pointers for 12 points. Cam Pollock and Boston Caldwell each contributed 10.

 Kevon Green led the Gold Eyes with a game-high 23 points and Lamondo Cargile scored 16.