Clarence Daniels, left, helped lead UNH past Maine on Thursday night. (Photo courtesy of UNH Athletics)

BANGOR, Me. - Senior forward Clarence Daniels (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) dropped 30 points and collected seven rebounds as the University of New Hampshire men’s basketball team came back from an 11-point deficit to defeat the University of Maine 79-74 on Thursday evening from Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.

Junior guard Ahmad Robinson (West Orange, N.J.) drained 16 points and collected seven rebounds while grad student forward Jaxson Baker (Phoenix, Ariz.) scored 13 points and also collected seven rebounds for the ‘Cats.

The Wildcats improve to 9-6 (1-1 AE) and Maine falls to 8-9 (0-2 AE).

Maine came out of a 34-all halftime tie hot, taking a 43-38 lead off a 9-2 run over three minutes.

The Black Bears put up another 12 points compared to the Wildcats two, taking a 55-44 lead with 12:00 left in the half. After being in an 11-point deficit, the Wildcats went on a 13-0 run to take a 66-64 lead with 3:39 remaining. With the game tied 69-69 and 1:32 left, Daniels drained two free throws to reclaim the Wildcat lead.

UNH’s Robinson sank a jumper to extend the UNH lead, which was quickly followed up by a Black Bear three to bring the UNH lead to one, 73-72.

Two free throws from Daniels and a layup by Maine’s Jaden Clayton kept the Wildcat lead at one, 75-74. Four free throws from Robinson and Dior Davis secured the victory.

The ‘Cats return to Lundholm Gymnasium to take on Bryant on Saturday at 7 p.m. on ESPN+. 

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

MAINE 78, UNH 52

The Black Bears jumped out to a 19-6 first quarter lead and never looked back as the Wildcats fell to 6-10 overall, 0-3 in America East.

Bella Stuart led the Wildcats with 14 points.

The Wildcats will continue on the road Saturday vs. the Bryant Bulldogs.