Orono, ME – The University of Maine men's basketball team wraps up their two-game road trip as they travel to Rhode Island to face the Bryant Bulldogs on Wednesday, Feb. 1.

ABOUT THE BLACK BEARS:

Maine continues of their road trip following another victory back on Sunday over the UAlbany Great Danes, 72-68. The Black Bears are riding a three-game win streak, their longest conference win streak since 2012-13.

The Black Bears defense enters another week of continued dominance in the top-10 in the NCAA after another week of being one of the best teams in the America East and in the country in forcing turnovers by way of the steal. Maine leads the America East in steals per game at 9.8 per contest, which is good for a national ranking of sixth. Leading the way in that category for the Black Bears is Sophomore Point Guard, Kellen Tynes.

Tynes is one of the best defenders in the country as he leads the NCAA in total steals and steals per game. He heads into the matchup against Bryant with 66 total steals and averaging 3.14 steals per game. Both of those numbers put Tynes on pace to set the Black Bears single-season record for both categories.

Tynes is putting up his incredible defensive numbers all while posting the most minutes per game in the America East, averaging 34:55 time on the floor per game. That time ranks him 70th in the country for time played per game.

Gedi Juozapaitis has continued to be one of the best sharpshooters in the country. He heads into the matchup against Bryant ranked 27th in the country in three-point shooting at 41.7% and he also leads all European born NCAA DI players in three-point shooting and scoring (15.5).

PREVIEW ON THE BULLDOGS:

Bryant comes into the matchup against Maine on a two-game losing streak. They most recently lost their matchup against Binghamton on Saturday, Jan. 28.

Charles Pride led the Bulldogs in scoring on the night as he finished with 17 points. Antwan Walker was solid off the bench as he scored 12 points for Bryant.

The Bulldogs shot 39.3% from the field and 35.3% from three-point range on the night. They forced 13 turnovers with committing only 11 themselves.

HISTORY:

This will be the first ever meeting between these two teams. Bryant is in the middle of their first season as a member of the America East.

LAST TIME OUT FOR MAINE:

The Black Bears are coming off of a comeback victory over the Great Danes of UAlbany on Saturday, Jan. 28. Maine trailed by 13 points at one point on the night before coming back to win the contest, 72-68.

Ja'Shonté Wright-McLeish tied his season-high for scoring as he produced 16 points to lead the Black Bears in scoring. He shot a very efficient seven of 10 from the field, including a pair of three-pointers.

Gedi Juozapaitis had a career-best day distributing the ball as he had six assists in the win.

The Black Bears shot 50.9% from the field and 91.7% from the free throw line on the night. They forced 15 UAlbany turnovers and only committed seven turnovers. The Black Bears outscored the Great Danes 19-7 in points off of turnovers.

CLAYTON EARNS SECOND AMERICA EAST ROOKIE OF THE WEEK HONORS

Clayton, a native of Whitby, Canada, was a key contributor to the Black Bears 2-0 week in America East action. He averaged 12 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals in the Black Bears victories over UMass Lowell and UAlbany.

Clayton turned in a career-best day on the boards against UMass Lowell back on Wednesday, Jan. 25 as he grabbed six rebounds to go along with his 12 points in the contest. He also had a pair of steals and a block in the 75-70 victory.

He followed up his solid performance with another 12-point outing in the 72-68 victory over UAlbany on Saturday, Jan. 28. He dished out four assists, had three rebounds and snatched a pair of steals in the victory.

JUOZAPAITIS RED-HOT START CONTINUES

Gedi Juozapaitis has continued his dominating scoring run over the America East as the Black Bears enter the second half of the conference schedule. He sits in second place in the America East conference in scoring as he averages 15.5 points per game on the season. He is averaging 18.3 points per game through eight conference matchups, which is good for the second most points in conference only games He is shooting 42.0% from the field and 41.0% from three-point range.

Juozapaitis is holding his lead for the most three-pointers made in conference games with 25 made three-pointers, three more than Charles Pride of Bryant. He is shooting the sixth-best percentage from three-point range (41.0%), among qualified leaders, all while attempting the most three-pointers per game at 3.1 per contest.

Juozapaitis is putting up his numbers at a very efficient rate in conference only games as he currently ranks 16th in field goal%.

TYNES STEALS LEAD GETS LARGER
 

Kellen Tynes has been the most dominate defender in the country as a member of the Black Bears. He has registered 66 steals and 12 blocks for the Black Bear. His steals number is good for the best in the country and leads the America East by 29. Tynes will be looking to keep his steal streak going as he has registered at least one steal in every game thus far for the Black Bears.

Tynes also ranks 12th in the America East in blocks per game, registering 0.6 per contest.

WRIGHT-MCLEISH CLOSING IN ON 100

Ja'Shonté Wright-McLeish has been a consistent scorer for the Black Bears over his tenure with the team. He has averaged 5.7 points per game over his collegiate career and he is looking to top the 100-made three-pointers at some point during his career. He has made 29 three-pointers this season, giving him 77 for his career.

-UMaine-