AUGUSTA — It’s nice to have a breather now and then.

A night after losing at the buzzer, the University of Maine at Augusta men’s basketball team coasted to a 101-68 win against an undermanned Nashua Community College team in a Yankee Small College Conference game.

The visiting Jaguars carry just eight players but three were injured and didn’t suit up, leaving just five to play the entire 40 minutes. Led by freshman AJ Coleman, the Moose shredded the Nashua zone from the perimeter.

The win boosts UMA’s record to 2-10 overall, 1-5 in conference play while Nashua falls to 1-4.

“We’ve had a couple of rough games,” Coleman said. “But we play everyone tough.”

Coleman scored a team-high 22 points, all but four in the first half. He drilled six 3-pointers, hitting five in a row in the first 10 minutes of the game. UMA coach Jim Ford has played Coleman at the point guard position, but moved him to the wing to take advantage of his shooting against the Nashua zone.

“My entire career I played the point and had to pass to my teammates,” said Coleman, who played at Orono High School.

The Moose led 22-5 early in the first half and 62-30 at intermission. Ford substituted freely and everyone contributed. Leonel Familia scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds while Erskine graduate Martin Campbell and Medomak graduate Blake Nichols each scored 10 points off the bench.

UMA had trouble with Nashua’s 6-foot-7 center Josh Walker who grabbed 18 rebounds and scored a game-high 37 points. In Tuesday night’s two-point loss to Maine Maritime Academy, the Moose were out-rebounded 16-3 on the offensive glass.

“We’re currently a team of 11 players and with 10 guards,” Ford said. “David Prior is our only player inside who really knows the post well.”

Ford said it’s unlikely Messalonskee graduate Orlando Holmes will return to the team in the second half. The 6-3 forward in nursing a bulging disc in his back and has yet to play this season.

The Moose finished with 15 3-pointers, going 15 of 37 from behind the arc. Twelve of those came in the first half. Overall, UMA shot 41 of 86 from the floor while Nashua connected on 31 of 67 shots.

John Elgani finished with nine points on three 3-pointers for the Moose, while Hall-Dale grad Eric Gagne also contributed nine points and added four steals.

Gary Hawkins — 621-5638

ghawkins@centralmaine.com

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