Orono, ME - The University of Maine men's basketball team hosts UMFK to wrap up non-conference action on Tuesday afternoon.
Last Time Out -- The Black Bears were defeated by Drexel, 74-56.
Mekhi Gray led the way in scoring as he had 12 points, followed by Logan Carey with 10.
The Black Bears shot 48% from the field as a group and forced 13 turnovers.
Lean on the Defense -- Since Chris Markwood was named the Head Coach of the Black Bears prior to the 2022-23 season, the defensive side of the ball has been a staple of the recent success that the Maine program has seen over the past few seasons. In 2024-25, Maine concluded the season with the 33rd ranked defense in all of the NCAA as they allowed only 66.1 points per game. To open the 2025-26 season, Maine is allowing just 70.6 points per game, the best mark in the America East and it puts them in the top third of the NCAA.
Surging Steele-- Keelan Steele is playing some of the best basketball of his collegiate career over the past few weeks for the Black Bears as he is putting up career-highs across the board.
Over his past five games, he is averaging 11 PPG on 65% shooting from the field and 86% from the free throw line. He has also grabbed 21 rebounds (4.2 per game), blocked six shots and picked up four steals over that same stretch.
First Year Impact -- Bashir N'Galang and Ace Flagg have carved out solid minutes in their first taste of collegiate basketball and both of them are turning out solid numbers.
Flagg leads the duo in scoring with 4.8 PPG and is third on the team in rebounds with 53 while Galang leads the team in assists with 21 and is averaging 4.1 PPG.
Preseason #2 -- The Black Bears enter the 2025-26 season being picked in a tie for second in the America East preseason poll, their highest ranking in over 20 years. Maine made their first America East Championship game appearance last season since the 2003-04 season, a game they ultimately fell in to the Bryant Bulldogs.
Series History -- This will be the sixth all-time meeting between these two programs.
-UMaine-
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