PORTLAND, Maine (Interstat) — The Greensboro Swarm used a dominant first half and withstood a fierce second-half rally by the Maine Celtics to secure a 122-112 victory in a G League matchup Friday night at the Portland Exposition Building.

Greensboro, the visiting team, improved its season record to 20-7, while Maine fell to 17-11.

The Swarm seized control early, building a double-digit lead in the first quarter and never looking back before halftime. Greensboro’s offense was efficient and balanced, scoring 32 points in the opening period and erupting for 36 in the second. The Swarm led 68-52 at the break, capitalizing on Maine’s inconsistent shooting and several early turnovers.

The most important part of the game came in the third quarter, as the Celtics mounted a significant comeback attempt on their home floor. After being outplayed for the first 24 minutes, Maine found its rhythm, outscoring Greensboro 36-29 in the period. The Celtics’ run, fueled by interior play and timely outside shooting, cut deeply into the Swarm’s substantial lead and brought the home crowd to life, threatening to completely shift the game’s momentum.

However, Greensboro stabilized in the fourth quarter. Each time Maine drew close, the Swarm answered with a critical basket to maintain separation. Key defensive stops and clutch scoring in the final minutes allowed Greensboro to close out the 10-point win, securing its third victory over Maine this season following a pair of narrow wins in November.

The Swarm’s performance was highlighted by strong play from its starting unit, which built the early cushion necessary to survive Maine’s push. The Celtics, despite the rally, could not overcome their slow start and the deficit it created.

The two teams are scheduled to meet again at the same venue Sunday.

Interstat’s ELO system had projected Maine with a 58.80 percent probability to win.