Milton Doyle scores 28 but short-handed Long Island falls to Maine

The Long Island Nets and Maine Red Claws, both short-handed, went back and forth Friday night, but Maine rallied late in the 4th quarter to take down Long Island, 109-100 in front of a sold out crowd at the Portland Expo.

Long Island, (18-14) was without James Webb III and Isaiah Whitehead, both brought up to Brooklyn. Maine (16-15) was short-handed due to injuries and with Kadeem Allen transferred to the Boston Celtics.

Long Island was led by Nets two-way Milton Doyle with 28 points on 11-of-28 shooting, including 4-of-12 from deep. Jeremy Senglin, who set a Long Island record with 40 points three nights ago, added 22 points off the bench for the Nets. Akil Mitchell, the Nets center at 6’9”, finished with 16 points (10 in the first quarter) and 11 rebounds.

Maine was led by Trey Davis with 31 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. L.J. Peak added 20 poitns and 8 boards, Devin Williams recorded another double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Daniel Dixon added 15 points and 9 boards. Vitto Brown led the bench with 16 points and 8 rebounds.

Long Island held a 29-22 lead after the first quarter, buoyed by Mitchell.

In the 2nd, Davis’ offensive board and lay-in and Vitto Brown’s three-pointer got the Claws within 2, and Barham’s three-point play gave Maine a 30-29 lead. The Claws’ 10-0 run was stopped by Jeremy Senglin’s three. The Claws opened a 37-32 lead. The teams would go back and forth, with Maine maintaining a five point advantage for much of the period. After forcing a turnover, Dixon dropped in a three to put the Claws up 10. Maine out-scored Long Island 37-20 in the 2nd and took a 59-49 halftime lead.

Williams opened the 2nd half with a three-point play. Davis’ scoop shot followed by an Adeyeye corner three put Maine up 67-56. The Nets got it back to single digits – Tahjere McCall’s steal and score made it 70-66, and Mitchell cut it to two on the following possession. Senglin’s 3 made it 74-73 Red Claws, but Brown’s corner 3 righted the ship for Maine. The Red Claws led 83-77 after 3.

Doyle continued his solid offensive game for Long Island, starting the 4th quarter with a three-ball. Brown answered with a trey of his own. Following Red Claws head coach Brandon Bailey’s ejection from the game, Long Island tied the game on the ensuing free throws. Peak drove and scored to put Maine up two, then off a steal, Davis’ free throws made it 94-90 Claws. Brown buried a huge three to get it back to a nine-point lead.

• Game Report: Maine Red Claws 109, Long Island Nets 100 (with Video) - G-League