Justin Edwards scored 22 points and Gerald McLemore 18 as Maine came back from a big first-half deficit Sunday to defeat Holy Cross 72-60.
The Black Bears (2-1) trailed 29-17 with 5:19 remaining until halftime. A layup by Sletoslav Chetinov began their comeback, and McLemore had a pair of 3-pointers, a layup and two free throws as Maine finished the half with a 14-2 run to tie it 31-31.
A three-point play by Kilian Cato and a jumper by McLemore to start the second half gave the Black Bears a 36-31 lead. The Crusaders (2-4) were still within five points, 61-56, with 7:50 left before Maine put the game away with an 11-2 run that included dunks by Edwards and Alasdair Fraser.
Dave Dudzinski scored 20 points to lead Holy Cross, which had won all six previous meetings with Maine, but committed 17 turnovers to eight for the Black Bears.
