OPENING TIP: For one last time in 2018-19, the Maine Black Bears will play hosts at the Cross Insurance Center, taking on Binghamton in a Saturday matinee in Bangor. The opening tip is slated for 11:00 a.m., with the game being broadcasted on ESPN+.
SENIOR DAY: Prior to Saturday's game, the University of Maine athletic department will honor four seniors for their achievements on and off the court. The group of
Celio Araujo,
Dennis Ashley,
Vincent Eze and
Ilija Stojiljkovic have combined to play in 302 games, make 127 starts, score 1,074 points, grab 790 rebounds, while distributing 459 assists.The core group was also vital to helping Maine to its highest team GPA since at least 1988.
PLAYOFF IMPLICATIONS: With a victory over Binghamton and/or a New Hampshire loss to UMBCm Maine will clinch a playoff spot in the upcoming America East Tournament. If Maine falls to the Bearcats and New Hampshire defeats UMBC, Tuesday's regular season finale will determine which Border Battle rival will continue its season in postseason play. If the two teams tie with the same overall record in conference play, Maine holds a tiebreaker with having more AE road wins and currently has a higher RPI than New Hampshire as the final tiebreaker.
LAST TIME OUT: With the score tied at 51-51, the University of Maine men's basketball team was outscored 19-10 over the final 10:14 of the second half, falling to UMass Lowell, 70-61, at the Cross Insurance Center on Wednesday night.
Vincent Eze recorded 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting, while bringing down five rebounds and distributing three assists in 17 minutes of action.
Dennis Ashley reached double-figures for the third time in his last four games, pouring in 11 points.
Vilgot Larsson shot a perfect 4-for-4, including 2-of-2 from 3-point range.
Miks Antoms led the squad off the glass with seven rebounds.
Ilija Stojiljkovic posted a team-high five assists.
LAST TIME AGAINST THE BEARCATS: The Black Bears took a seven-point second half lead, but the Binghamton Bearcats clawed back, finishing the contest on a 19-7 run to take a 78-66 victory at the Events Center on Saturday afternoon. Three Black Bears (3-18, 1-5 AE) reached double-figures, led by
Vilgot Larsson's 14 points.
Isaiah White and
Andrew Fleming both tallied 12 points in the contest, with Fleming and
Sergio El Darwich grabbing a team-high eight rebounds. El Darwich distributed six assists, and was held the seven points.
THE SERIES: Winning three of the last four games against Binghamton, Maine Black Bears hold a 19-7 edge all-time against Binghamton. Last season, both meetings were very competitive with Maine winning 76-73 at the Event Center. Maine also earned an 81-79 win in overtime on February 3, 2018 at the Cross Insurance Center. The two teams first met in 2002, as the Black Bears won the first three meetings before the Bearcats were victorious for seven of the next nine matchups.
UP NEXT: The Black Bears close the regular season on the road against rival New Hampshire on Tuesday, March 5. The opening tip is set for 7:00 p.m. in Lundholm Gymnasium.
