FARMINGTON — The University of Maine at Farmington men’s basketball team is the winner of the inaugural Dick Meader Cup.

Despite giving up a 13-point halftime lead, the Beavers managed to pull in front in the second half and nab a 74-66 win over North Atlantic Conference foe Thomas College in front of a capacity crowd at the Dearborn Gymnasium.

“It’s a tremendous honor (to win the Meader Cup), to honor coach and his family,” said Beavers head coach Sam Leal. “I would smile every time every time I looked across (the court) and saw the family, seeing them all sit at center court. It’s just an honor to continue his legacy by honoring him with this game. To be the first to hang on to it for the year, just adds a little extra joy.”

“It’s the first time I’ve ever been a part of something like this,” said UMF senior guard Zachary Mickle. “I personally never played for Coach Meader, but this team and program is connected to him. It’s especially nice to get it at home. We get it out of the way and get a good conference game.”

The trophy is named after legendary basketball coach Dick Meader, who passed away in October 2022 at the age of 76. Meader had a storied career with both schools. A 1968 UMF grad, Meader scored 1,195 points during his time with the Beavers. He spent 44 years as a head coach between both programs, first at Thomas, where he had 160 wins over 17 seasons. In his 27 seasons at UMF, Meader led the Beavers to 353 wins, the most in program history.

University of Maine at Farmington’s Jason Reynolds sweeps a rebound away from Thomas College’s Kory Winch during the inaugural Meader Cup men’s basketball game Tuesday in Farmington. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

Meader is in both the Thomas College and UMF halls of fame, along with the Maine Sports Hall of Fame, the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame and the New England Basketball Hall of Fame. Meader, who fought Parkinson’s Disease, retired from coaching in 2020.

About a dozen members of Meader’s family — including his widow, Betty-Jane Meader — were in attendance and recognized in a pregame ceremony.

“I’m delighted (about the Meader Cup), it’s one more honor,” said Betty-Jane Meader, who met Dick Meader while both were students at UMF — then known as Farmington State Teachers College — before marrying in 1968. “They want him to be remembered.”

They presented the trophy to Mickle after the game, who promptly gave it to UMF assistant Jim Bessey, who was a longtime assistant under Dick Meader.

“(This game) was emotional for me, starting a couple of days ago,” said a teary-eyed Bessey. “I spoke to the team before the game, it was difficult to do that. He was a wonderful man, a wonderful coach. He was a good personal model for anybody.

“(Meader) might have been a little frustrated with how we played towards the end (of the game), while they were pressing us,” Bessey joked. “But yes, he would have been happy that we came away with win, I’m sure.”

Sophomore forward Jordan Anthony led UMF (11-8, 4-5 NAC) with 19 points, while junior guard Ethan Forrester added 15 points, most of which came in the second half. Forward Cooper Wirkala led the Terriers (7-11, 4-4 NAC) with 16 points, while guard Mark McDonald added 15 points.

Up 38-25 at halftime, the Terriers made a hard-charging comeback attempt, led by Wirkala, tying the game 49-49 with 9:15 left.

“We could have easily laid down and let them advance the lead more, but shoutout to that last 20 minutes (of the game),” Thomas head coach Marquis Mason-Pollard said. “I thought we showed what we really can do if given a chance, cause some turnovers and just be us. I’m proud of the effort in the second half. (UMF) hit some big shots that, if they didn’t fall, could have gone the other way. And we had some possessions where we took a bad shot or turned it over, which is huge. But I’m proud of the effort and it’s night and day (difference) from the last time we were here.”

But the Beavers, led by the offensive play of both Anthony and Forrester, managed to pull back ahead with a 54-51 lead with 8:20 remaining, and never again lost the lead.

“Both of them stepped up defensively and offensively,” Mickle said. “(Forrester) really stepped up tonight. He’s been struggling a little bit, but he’s starting to figure it out and I’m really proud of him.”

“They’ve been awesome all season,” added Leal. “We love to have a balanced scoring attack. We always say the ball will find the open man for the shot. At that point of the game, they must have been the ones that the ball found, because they were the ones to get the shot. That’s what we preach every game, sharing it and create (opportunities) for our teammates.”

Mickle had 13 points for UMF, while freshman forward Jason Reynolds had nine points and 12 rebounds.

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