MAINE RETURNS ON THE ROAD FOR THE STEVE WRIGHT CLASSIC
The Black Bears return on the road this week as they play in the Steve Wright Classic held at Boston University on November 19, 20 and 21. Maine opens tournament play on Saturday Nov. 19 as they take on BU at 4:00 p.m. Sunday they take on Northeastern at 2:00 p.m. and close out the tournament with a 3:00 p.m. matchup against Long Island University.
HEAD COACH BOB WALSH'S TAKE:
"A tournament like this close to home is a great opportunity for us. It allows us to prepare in our own gym all week and then provides really good competition in Boston, where hopefully some of Black Bear Nation can come out and watch us play. All three teams we play have recent traditions of excellence and are programs that are used to winning, so the challenge will be great for us. It should be a great tournament."
A LOOK AT THE BLACK BEARS:
Maine finished their two game road trip last week with a 1-1 record. On Nov. 13 against Virginia Tech, Maine lost 80-67 to the Hokies. Wes Myers was the leading scorer in that game for Maine with 18 points on 6-of-13 shooting from the field. Myers also pulled down eight rebounds on the night
As a team, Maine shot 35.8 percent from the field and 30 percent from three. The Black Bears only produced 20 points in the paint compared to Virginia Tech's 46.
Two days later against Longwood, Maine defeated the Lancers 80-58 for the Black Bears' first victory of the 2016-17 campaign. Ilker Er led Maine scorers with 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the field and 4-of-9 from the three point line. Maine had five double digit scorers, including; Er, Wes Myers (15 points), Marko Pirovic (11 points), Aaron Calixte and Ryan Bernstein (10 points each). They produced 31 bench points and scored 38 points in the paint. Maine improved their shooting touch, 41.7 percent from the field and 36 percent from behind the arc.
Wes Myers leads the team the following categories this season: scoring (16.7 points per game), field goal attempts (11.5), field goals made (5.0), free throw attempts (7.5), free throws made (5.5), rebounds (8.0) and minutes (31.0).
A GLIMPSE INTO THE SERIES:
The Black Bears have met Boston University a total of 100 times in their history. The former America East rivals, BU, lead the all time series 59-41 with the last meeting dating back to the 2012-2013 season, the Terriers coming away victorious 79-72.
Maine and Northeastern have met a total of 111 times, with Northeastern holding a 64-47 edge in the series. Their last meeting took place also in 2012-2013 Maine coming away victorious 76-73.
Long Island and Maine have only met four times in their programs' history. The last meeting was during the 1999-2000 season as Maine defeated the Black Birds 84-63.
GAME VS. UMAINE PRESQUE-ISLE
Because of NCAA rules, exempt tournaments allow teams to play a non-division I opponent as their fourth game of the tournament. The Black Bears will host UMaine Presque Isle on November 26 at 2:00 p.m.
