WATERVILLE – Dick Whitmore became the 52nd coach in NCAA men’s basketball history and just the seventh in NCAA Division III play to win 600 career games after he and his Mules took a 65-55 victory over Bowdoin in NESCAC action on Saturday.

The Polar Bears (10-4) did not make it any easy win as they led 21-13 at one point in the first half and shot 62 percent from the field.

But the Mules (10-4) did not commit a turnover in the first half and managed to take a 32-31 lead into the break.

Artie Cutrone had 22 points on 8-for-13 shooting and recorded four assists for Colby. Adam Choice added 13 points and three assists, while Michael Russell finished with 11 points and eight rebounds.

Whitmore graduated from Bowdoin in 1965 and is in his 38th year of coaching at Colby. He has a 600-318 career record with the Mules.

Williams 76, Bates 61

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – Joe Geoghegan scored 21 points and hauled down nine rebounds to lead Williams College to a 76-61 victory over Bates College in NESCAC men’s basketball action Saturday.

The Ephs (12-5) played excellent defense and responded to a physical Bobcat lineup by getting to the free-throw line for 28 points. Bates only managed a 10-of-14 from the charity stripe.

Junior Chris Wilson scored a team-high 11 points for the Bobcats (8-7), while junior guard Neil Creahan and sophomore Brian Ellis added 10 points apiece. First-year Kyle Philbrook of Auburn led the team with four assists.

The Bates bench was productive, outscoring its Williams counterparts 33-19, but the Ephs had the edge in points off turnovers (15-8) and second-chance points (13-5).

Thomas 74, UMF 65

WATERVILLE – Andrew Duncanson scored a game-high 29 points as Thomas College recovered from a temporary deficit to earn a 74-65 victory over the University of Maine at Farmington in NAC men’s basketball action Saturday.

The Terriers (3-8) grabbed a 13-point lead in the first half, only to see Farmington close out the final six minutes on a 19-2 run, to take a 37-33 lead at the break.

The Beavers (3-7) were led by Josh Tanguay, who scored 19 points to along with 12 rebounds. Pat Howell and Eric Lelansky added in 14 and 13 points, respectively for Farmington.

Maine 72, Albany 61

ORONO – Kaimondre Owes scored 20 points off the bench and Sean McNally added 14 and six rebounds as Maine won for only the second time in nine games by beating Albany, N.Y., 72-61, on Saturday.

Maine (7-11, 2-3 America East Conference) was ahead 32-24 early in the second half and pulled away with seven straight points.

Gerald McLemore hit a jumper, Malachi Peay – who had 11 points – followed with a 3-point play and McNally converted an offensive rebound. The margin later reached 52-29.

Women’s basketball

Bates 90, Williams 67

LEWISTON – Lauren Yanofsky scored a season-high 20 points to go along with her seven rebounds and four assists as Bates annihilated Williams in NESCAC women’s basketball action Saturday.

Val Beckwith contributed 16 points with six rebounds and five assists for the Bobcats (13-4). Jessie Igoe added 12 points and six rebounds, while Christine McCall chipped in with 10 points and seven rebounds in just 11 minutes of play off the bench.

Jessica Harris led the Ephs (5-11) with 18 points and seven rebounds.

The Bobcats’ 90 points were a season high. A layup by Annie Burns on an assist by Brittney French gave Bates a game-high 30-point advantage at 82-52 with 5:27 left.

UMF 82, Thomas 70

WATERVILLE – Caitlyn Laflin was the leading force with 31 points and 14 rebounds as the University of Maine at Farmington cruised to an 82-70 victory over Thomas College in NAC women’s basketball action Saturday.

Jillian Ross and Amanda Byrne also claimed double-digit scoring for the Beavers (4-8) with 13 and 12 points, respectively. Despite the Terriers (2-8) jumping out to an early 12-5 lead, Farmington claimed their first lead with 7:03 remaining in the first half and never gave it up again.

Bowdoin 73, Colby 49

WATERVILLE – Caitlyn Hynes scored a career-high 24 points as Bowdoin thumped Colby 73-49 in NESCAC women’s basketball action Saturday.

The Polar Bears (13-3) sprinted out to a 10-4 lead and connected on five first-half 3-pointers to take a 37-24 halftime lead. Jill Henrikson collected 12 points, while Alexa Kaubris tallied 11 points and Katie Bergeron added 10 points for Bowdoin.