WATERVILLE, Maine -- The host Colby College Mules used a 10-0 run at the end of the first half to grab control of the game, defeating the Bates men's basketball team 78-61 Saturday night in non-conference action. 

The Bobcats (4-6) never led in the contest, as the Mules (10-1) jumped out to a 10-0 lead to start the game. But the visitors chipped away at the early deficit, tying the game at 33 on a layup from senior captain Steph Baxter (Worcester, Mass.) with 1:48 left in the first half.

Colby's explosive offense did not allow the tie to last long, with three different players contributing to the 10-0 run to end the half. Liam O'Connell and Alec McGovern hit back-to-back threes to cap off the run, putting the hosts up 43-33 at halftime. 

The Bobcats stayed within striking distance early in the second half, with junior Simon McCormick (Whitefield, Maine) hitting a three to cut the deficit to six points at 59-53 with 8:35 left in regulation. But an 11-0 run from Colby put the game out of reach, as Noah Tyson hit a three with 4:34 remaining to make the score 70-53. 

Colby's Jack Lawson led all scorers with 21 points on 8-16 shooting and a game-high 13 rebounds. Tyson added 15 points and 12 rebounds. 

Four Bobcats finished in double figures, with sophomore Jahmir Primer (Hempstead, N.Y.) leading the way with 14 points. McCormick finished with 12 points, knocking down 4-7 from three-point range, and pulling down seven rebounds. First-year Brady Coyne (Falmouth, Maine) matched his season-high with 11 points on 4-9 shooting and Baxter finished with 10 points. 

The Mules shot 41.8 percent from the floor and held Bates to 35.9% shooting. 

Bates is back in action on Thursday, December 29 at 7pm when the Bobcats take on Marietta at the Daytona Beach Shootout.