Box Score WATERVILLE, Maine --- Senior Levi Barnes (Skowhegan, Maine) scored a game-high 31 points to lead Thomas College past Lyndon State College, 81-62, in North Atlantic Conference play on Friday evening at Larry Mahaney Gymnasium.
Early on, neither team was able to gain much separation. After a pair of Adam Carlsen (Rockport, Maine) free throws tied the game at 21-21 with 8:50 remaining, Barnes took off offensively, hitting a trio of three-pointers in a four-possession span (and knocking down a pair of free throws on the fourth), to help Thomas (6-6, 2-3 NAC) build a 32-26 lead. Layups by Tyheem Simon (Far Rockaway, N.Y.) and Justin Murray (Winslow, Maine), a traditional three-point play by Carlos Gonzalez (Kennebunk, Maine) and five more points from Barnes -- another trey and a pair of free throws -- allowed the Terriers to take a 44-32 lead into the locker room.
The Terriers continued to make shots to open the second half, scoring the first nine points of the period. Overall, a 29-8 run capped by a five-point streak by Tyheem Simon pushed to the Terrier lead to its apex at 33 points (73-40) with 7:50 to go.
Both teams substituted liberally during the game's final eight minutes which allowed Lyndon (4-5, 2-3 NAC) to cut into the lead. The Hornets outscored the Terriers, 22-8, down the stretch, including the games' final 11 points.
In addition to taking home game-high scoring honors, Barnes also surpassed the 1,500-point mark for his career. He reached the mark with a jumper at the 14:39 mark of the first half, eventually pushing his total to 1,525 points. Barnes jumped from ninth place on Thomas' all-time scoring list past Mike Adams (1,521 points; 1990-94) and into a tie with Chris Blodgett (1978-82) for seventh place all-time. Just ahead of Barnes on the list is former teammate Jarrad DeVaughn (2009-13) at 1,575 points.
Barnes finished the game 10-of-12 from the field, including 4-of-5 from long distance. He also sank all seven of his free throw attempts and pulled down five rebounds. Simon tallied 16 points off the bench on 6-of-10 shooting from the field with three steals, an assist and a rebound. Gonzalez flirted with another double-double, finishing with 11 points and seven boards.
As a team, the Terriers shot 52.8 percent (28-of-53) from the field, were 7-of-15 from three-range and hit on 18 of 22 free throw attempts.
The Hornets were led by eight points, eight rebounds and three steals from Xavier Colbert. Colbert also committed a game-high six turnovers. Kevin Love added eight points and six boards off the bench.
Both teams are back on the court for 3 p.m. Saturday tipoffs. Thomas entertains Johnson State (1-10, 1-4 NAC), while Lyndon ventures to UMaine-Farmington (1-10, 1-4 NAC). The Badgers topped the Beavers, 69-58, on Friday night for their first win of the year.
