LEWISTON — Junior Nick Lynch led the way for Bates with a career-high 20 points and 10 rebounds as the Bobcats held off a furious rally from Colby to prevail 83-76 in men’s basketball action Saturday afternoon.

The Bobcats (8-6) jumped out to a 30-7 lead. But, the Mules (7-5) refused to go away, taking a 54-52 lead on three Sam Jefferson free throws with 11:45 remaining in regulation. Jefferson scored a game-high 23 points.

Bates took the lead for good when freshman James Mortimer hit a free throw to make the score 57-56 with 9:30 left in regulation.

Bates’ sophomores Jeff Spellman and Tom Coyne added 17 and 16 points, respectively. Coyne dished out a game-high six assists as well in the winnnig effort.

Women’s basketball

Colby 66, Bates 48

WATERVILLE — Haley Driscoll scored 21 points and Ainsley Burns added 17 as Colby defeated Bates 66-48 in NESCAC women’s basketball action Saturday afternoon.

The Mules (6-5) led from the start. Colby used a 15-4 rebounding advantage in the third quarter to expand the Mule’s lead to 48-31.

Julia Middlebrook led three Bobcat (5-9) players in double figures with 11 points. Lyse Henshaw and Nina Davenport scored 10 points apiece for Bates.

Bates played a solid fourth quarter, but couldn’t chip into Colby’s lead, getting outscored 18-17 over the final 10 minutes.