Preview: Maine Black Bears at NJIT Highlanders

NEWARK, N.J. (Interstat) — Two America East Conference men’s basketball teams on divergent tracks will meet Saturday when the struggling Maine Black Bears visit the NJIT Highlanders at Fleisher Athletic Center.

Maine (2-14) enters having lost 12 of its last 13 games, including a 62-69 conference loss at Maryland-Baltimore County on Thursday. The Black Bears’ offense has been consistently challenged, failing to reach 65 points in 11 of their 16 games this season.

NJIT (7-10, 2-1 America East) has shown recent signs of life, winning back-to-back league games over Binghamton and, most recently, an 80-76 home victory over New Hampshire on Thursday. The Highlanders have found a rhythm at home, going 5-3 in Newark this season.

The matchup features two of the conference’s top individual scorers. Maine will lean heavily on guard TJ Biel, who is coming off a career-high 27-point performance at UMBC. Over his last five games, Biel is averaging 15.8 points, though his production has fluctuated.

NJIT counters with dynamic guard David Bolden, who scored 21 points and dished four assists in the win over New Hampshire. Bolden has averaged 17.2 points over his last five contests, providing a steady offensive spark for the Highlanders.

For Maine to snap its skid, it must improve its offensive efficiency beyond Biel’s output. Support from players like Ryan Mabrey and Logan Carey, who combined for 18 points Thursday, will be critical. The Black Bears also need to tighten a defense allowing 74.1 points per game.

NJIT will look to control the tempo and exploit its home-court advantage. The Highlanders have averaged 76 points in their two conference wins and will aim to push the pace against a Maine team that has struggled on the road (1-9).

This game marks the first of two regular-season meetings between the teams. They will meet again in Orono, Maine, on Feb. 14.

Saturday’s contest tips off at 2 p.m. EST.