Manhattan Edges Maine 68-62 in Free-Throw Battle
Ben Pearce scored 19 points as Manhattan improved to 1-2 with a 68-62 win over Maine.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Basketball
Manhattan defeated Maine 68-62 on Sunday, November 8, 2026, with Ben Pearce scoring 19 points for the Jaspers. Manhattan made 23 of 33 free throws while Maine made 8 of 16, and the win moved Manhattan to 1-2 while dropping Maine to 1-3.
Why it matters
Maine's early-season struggles in close games highlight a problem that could define its season, as coach Chris Markwood said the team failed to execute key plays, including missed free throws. The defeat leaves Maine at 1-3 and gives Maine residents an early read on whether the Black Bears can win the tight contests that decide a season.
Both teams shot 35.7% from the field in the first half, and Maine's 29-27 halftime lead flipped as Manhattan outscored Maine 41-33 in the second half. Villiam Garcia Adsten's 16 points and 10 rebounds led Maine, while the season-long scoring average of Ace Flagg, who was scoreless in this game, stands at 10.5 points per game.
The players
Maine Black Bears
The University of Maine's men's basketball program, competing in the America East Conference, played this game at Orono.
Manhattan Jaspers
The men's basketball program of Manhattan University, which won this non-conference game on the road.
Chris Markwood
The Maine men's basketball head coach who said the team failed to execute in close games, including missed free throws.
The details
Maine held a 29-27 halftime lead in a game where both teams were weighed down by fouls and turnovers in the first half. Manhattan pulled ahead after Ben Tweedy's 3-point play with 3:05 left gave the Jaspers a four-point lead, and Manhattan's free-throw advantage proved decisive.
Timeline
Sunday, November 8, 2026: Manhattan defeats Maine 68-62.
Tuesday, November 10, 2026: Maine plays at Rhode Island.
Season Trajectory
Maine's 1-3 start puts pressure on the Black Bears to convert close games early in the schedule, since a 2026-27 season record depends heavily on those margins. Manhattan's 1-2 start places the Jaspers in a similar early-season scramble as both programs look to build momentum for conference play.
Maine's next game at Rhode Island on Tuesday gives fans a chance to see whether the Black Bears can fix the free-throw problems that cost them this game. Fantasy managers tracking Villiam Garcia Adsten should note his 16-point, 10-rebound performance as a sign of his role in Maine's frontcourt.
The takeaway
Close games often come down to free-throw shooting, and Maine's early 1-3 start shows how much a few missed attempts can shape a season. Fans who follow the program should watch whether the Black Bears improve at the line before conference play begins.
What happens next
Maine plays at Rhode Island on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
Further reading
For more college basketball coverage, see Basketball on the site.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Portland Press Herald.
