America East Foes Bryant, Maine Seek First Conference Win

VEAZIE, Maine (Interstat) — Two teams looking to halt extended losing streaks in nonconference play will meet Saturday when the Bryant Bulldogs visit the Maine Black Bears in an America East men’s basketball opener.

The game at Cross Insurance Center tips off at 2 p.m. EST.

Both programs enter with struggling overall records. Bryant is 4-10, while Maine sits at 2-12. Each secured a lopsided home victory over a non-Division I opponent in their last outing but had dropped five straight against Division I competition prior to that.

The Bulldogs are coming off a 95-59 rout of Worcester State on Dec. 28. In that game, forward Keegan Harvey scored 21 points, grabbed eight rebounds and blocked four shots in 24 minutes. Harvey, a key player to watch for Bryant, has been inconsistent, however, scoring just two points in a 93-47 loss at High Point on Dec. 22.

Maine defeated Me.-Fort Kent 104-66 on Dec. 30, led by guard Logan Carey’s efficient 26 points in just 17 minutes. Carey, the Black Bears’ top offensive threat, also scored 14 points in a win at Boston University on Dec. 10 but was held to three points in a 70-43 loss to Canisius on Dec. 13.

Bryant’s offense has sputtered against higher-level competition, failing to reach 65 points in four of its last five Division I games. Maine has similarly struggled, being held under 65 points in seven of its 12 losses this season.

History within the America East conference will begin anew for both squads Saturday. Bryant will look to establish an inside presence through Harvey and Aaron Davis, who had 20 points and six rebounds against Worcester State. Maine will rely on Carey’s scoring and the playmaking of Mekhi Gray, who dished out eight assists in the most recent win.

The Bulldogs’ next game is at home against UMass Lowell on Jan. 8. Maine travels to face UMBC on the same date.