UMA men’s basketball team prepares for the playoffs

UMA men’s basketball team prepares for the playoffs
February 19, 2014

AUGUSTA, Maine – The University of Maine at Augusta men's basketball team returns to post-season play for the first time in three years, as the seventh seeded Moose get set to play second seeded Southern Maine Community College Friday night in the first round of the Yankee Small College Conference Elite Eight Tournament at SMCC in South Portland. Game time is set for 7:00 pm.

After managing only one win through November and December, UMA has strung together five conference wins in the last six weeks and that number could easily be higher as the Moose are hitting their stride just in time for playoffs.

"We are excited to be taking on the Seawolves in the first round of playoffs," Head Coach Jim Ford said. "They present a strong transition game and we hope our improvements defensively can make a difference in what will be an exciting match up."

The Moose are led by junior Brandon Rogers (Turlock, Calif.) who leads UMA in scoring with 19.7 points per game and currently leads the nation in rebounding with 12.6 boards per outing. Sophomore Keith Chesley (Clinton, Maine) is tied for second in the YSCC in rebounding (9.2pg) and is second in scoring for the Moose (15.1pg).

Juniors Tevon Erwin (Albany, N.Y.) and Jesse Smith (Troy, N.Y.) are also averaging in double-digits, with both kicking in just shy of 14 points per game. Freshman Caleb McGuire (Whitefield, Maine) and Garrett Alley (Union, Maine) have been rocks, playing in all 27 games for Coach Ford. The 6'7 McGuire is averaging just under nine points and five rebounds and is also a threat from the outside, shooting 35% from behind the arc.  Alley is averaging just under seven points while shooting over 46% from the field.

Guards Elliot Sibley (Ipswich, Mass.), Robert Foss (Augusta, Maine) and Nick Moody (Madison, Maine) round out the playoff roster and these three have played a role in UMA's improvement on defense from the start of the season.

SMCC owns the season series against UMA, 2-0, with the Seawolves defeating the Moose 114-89 on January 22nd.  For more information on tournament times or to find out how you can watch the games online, please visit www.yankeeconference.org.