BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Villa Maria College men's basketball team opened their season at home on Saturday as they hosted the University of Maine at Fort Kent. The two units were competitive in the second half, but the Vikings were able to hold on for a 67-64 win. The result now has them 1-0 on the year, while the Bengals start their campaign 0-1.
 
The two teams traded leads and buckets for the opening seven minutes of action with Nolan Shephard scoring the teams first seven points. Villa began to pull ahead thanks to points by Bersy Moundzieho, Zamar Harris and Shephard, which pushed the score to 19-7 at the 8:46 mark of the first half. The advantage grew to as many as 18 with 4:13 to play, off a Jaiden Green layup, but the Bengals buckled down and stopped the bleeding. At halftime, the Vikings led 38-26.
 
Coming out of the break, Villa was able to maintain the double-digit lead until the 14:33 mark. From there, Maine Fort Kent chipped away and cut their deficit to six multiple times, but key makes by Jeriah Williams and Moundzieho kept the opposition from making a complete comeback. Down the final 1:30 of the game, the Vikings offense went cold missing free-throws and layups, but they were able to force multiple misses by the Bengals and hold on for the 67-64 victory.
 
Shephard led the way with a 19-point, ten rebound double-double, while also dishing out six assists. Williams had a double-double of his own, scoring 17 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. Bragg and Moundzieho each contributed eight points. As a team, Villa shot 5-for-10 from three, but converted only 10-for-21 from the free-throw line.
 
The team will be home for their next game, when they host Beaver County Community College on Friday, November 5 at 7 p.m. The Vikings will also be home on Saturday, November 6 as they play Penn State Shenango at 1 p.m.
 
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