The Maine Celtics, presented by Unum, used a strong 3rd quarter to carry them to a hard-fought 86-79 win over Capital City Thursday night at the Portland Expo. Maine (4-1) was led by Sam Hauser with 19 points, including 5-10 from three-point range. Bruno Fernando, on assignment from the Boston Celtics finished with 13 points and 14 rebounds in the win. Theo Pinson added 12 points, while Deng Adel contributed 10. Capital City (3-2) was led by Jordan Goodwin with 21 points to lead all scorers. Greg Monroe finished with 12 points and 14 rebounds. Cassius Winston added 13 in the loss. Pinson picked up right where he left off Sunday, dropping in a three and putting Maine up 1. Capital City would rely on Greg Monroe early, scoring on two of his first three shots. The Celtics and Go-Go would trade buckets, with Capital City holding an early 13-12 lead. Fernando provided a defensive spark with back-to-back big blocked shots, and Thomas made his Maine debut in style, beating the buzzer to end the first period with a three. Maine led 24-19 after 1. In the 2nd, Deng Adel dropped in a second-chance three to put Maine up 2. The Go-Go continued to get to the free throw line, with Cassius Winston's three-point play putting Capital City up 28-27. Shannon Bogues' three-point play put the Go-Go up 5. The Celtics came roaring back, with Pinson's tough floater putting Maine up 36-34. The Go-Go would then go on an 11-2 run in a very low-scoring first half. After a Jaime Echenique and-one, Capital City would lead 45-38 at the half. Maine shot just 26.3% (10-38) in the half, and only scored 14 points in the 2nd quarter. Pinson led Maine with 12 points, while Winston paced all scorers with 13 for the Go-Go. Hauser opened the second half with a three-point shot, followed by Arcidiacono doing the same thing. Another Hauser triple gave Maine the lead at 47-45. Jordan Goodwin's bucket stopped the run. Maine started to fill it up, and opened a double-digit lead. Arcidiacono assisted Juwan Morgan, and Fernando added a monster slam. Maine led 60-51 on a 22-6 tun to open the quarter. Goodwin snapped the run with a three pointer. Hauser responded with a three of his own to put the Celtics up 11. Maine out-scored Capital City 33-21 in the 3rd to take a 71-66 lead into the 4th. Goodwin opened the 4th with a pair of field goals to cut the Capital City deficit to 4. Monroe's hook shot tied the game at 74. The Go-Go took a three point lead, Morgan gave the lead back to Maine with a three-ball of his own. It was an offensive struggle in the 4th, but Hauser hit a crucial three late in the period. Maine out-scored Capital City 15-13 in the 4th and held on for the win. Maine shot 35.9% (28-78) from the floor, 31.7% (13-41) from three-point range, and 10-15 from the free throw line. Capital City shot 38.6% (32-83) from the floor, 23.3% (7-30) from downtown, and 6-10 from the charity stripe. Maine and Capital City square off again tomorrow night at the Expo. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at MaineCeltics.com. Maine Celtics News Release
