LEWISTON, Maine — Bates men's basketball turned a tight rivalry matchup into a runaway, erupting for a dominant second-half performance in a 90-72 non-conference victory over Colby Sunday afternoon at Alumni Gym.
The Bobcats improved to 11-1 by flipping the game with a decisive surge after halftime. Bates trailed 43-38 at the break and fell behind by eight points early in the second half when Colby (9-2) took a 48-40 lead just 1:52 after intermission.
That margin quickly disappeared.
Babacar Pouye sparked the comeback, scoring on three consecutive possessions to help Bates claw back within two at 50-48. After sophomore Keenan Sparks tied the game at 50-all at 15:47 with a jumper, Bates took control for good with an 11-3 run. Senior Brady Coyne knocked down a go-ahead three, sophomore Sean O'Leary added a transition triple, and the Bobcats followed with a pair of free throws and another Pouye three to push the lead to 61-53 with 12:44 remaining.
The Bobcats continued to pile on and eventually inflated their lead to as many as 23 points with 2:49 left. Bates, after shooting 37% from the floor and a paltry 18% from three in the opening half, proceeded to shoot 58% and 50% in those respective categories in the second stanza.
Pouye was the centerpiece of the triumph, recording his second straight double-double (and fifth of the season) with 25 points and 11 rebounds. The junior also swatted six shots, finishing one block shy of the program's single-game record.
First-year Jamari Robinson delivered a breakout performance off the bench, scoring a career-high 18 points and converting 7-of-10 free throws. Senior Chiwer Mayen went 5-for-5 from the floor for 10 points, while O'Leary added 11 points and senior Elliott Cravitz chipped in nine. Sparks contributed eight boards and a game-best five assists in the win.
Three Mules reached double-digit scoring figures, led by Marcos Montiel and his 14 points.
Bates now turns its attention to league action as the Bobcats open the NESCAC portion of their schedule on Friday with a road contest at Amherst (10-3). Tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m.
