Preview: Canisius Seeks Road Win at Struggling Maine

VEAZIE, Maine (Interstat) — Two men’s basketball teams looking to build on rare positive results will meet Saturday when Canisius visits Maine at Cross Insurance Center.

The Golden Griffins (4-6) enter having lost three straight, most recently a 74-52 defeat at Siena on Dec. 7. Guard Javante Edwards led Canisius with 12 points in that loss. Edwards has been inconsistent but impactful in wins this season, dishing seven assists in a victory over Binghamton on Nov. 23.

The Black Bears (1-10) snapped a 10-game season-opening losing streak with a 69-59 road win at Boston University on Wednesday. Guard Logan Carey, who scored 14 points in the victory, has emerged as a key scorer. He averaged 13.3 points over a four-game stretch from Nov. 29 to Dec. 6.

Canisius’s victories have come against non-Division I Allegheny and Division I foes Mercyhurst, Maryland-Eastern Shore and Binghamton. Their losses include double-digit defeats to power conference Dayton and Atlantic 10 opponents Saint Bonaventure and Saint Peter’s.

Maine’s schedule has also been challenging, featuring road losses to Rutgers, George Washington and a 93-61 defeat at Miami (Ohio). Their win at Boston University, which entered that game 7-3, provides a potential momentum shift.

For Canisius, containing Carey will be a priority. For Maine, slowing Edwards and finding an answer for Canisius forward Mike Evbagharu, who scored 10 points against Siena, will be key. Both teams have struggled offensively this season, with each averaging in the low 60s in points per game.

This non-conference matchup is the first of a two-game road trip through New England for Canisius, which visits Rhode Island on Dec. 16. Maine hosts Division III Maine-Fort Kent on Dec. 30 before opening America East Conference play at home against Bryant on Jan. 3.

Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. EST Saturday.