UMBC heads to Maine for conference showdown

UMBC Retrievers (14-8, 7-2 America East) at Maine Black Bears (6-19, 4-6 America East)

Orono, Maine; Thursday, 6 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: UMBC plays Maine in America East action Thursday.

The Black Bears are 4-5 on their home court. Maine averages 12.3 turnovers per game and is 5-6 when it wins the turnover battle.

The Retrievers have gone 7-2 against America East opponents. UMBC is 3-6 against opponents with a winning record.

Maine's average of 5.9 made 3-pointers per game this season is only 0.7 fewer made shots on average than the 6.6 per game UMBC gives up. UMBC averages 8.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.8 more made shots on average than the 6.2 per game Maine allows.

The Black Bears and Retrievers meet Thursday for the first time in America East play this season.

DJ Armstrong is shooting 42.3% from beyond the arc with 3.0 made 3-pointers per game for the Retrievers, while averaging 13.4 points. Anthony Valentine is averaging 12.5 points and 3.7 assists over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Black Bears: 4-6, averaging 64.8 points, 23.1 rebounds, 13.3 assists, 7.7 steals and 3.1 blocks per game while shooting 44.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 67.3 points per game.

Retrievers: 8-2, averaging 75.7 points, 30.9 rebounds, 11.2 assists, 4.8 steals and 1.6 blocks per game while shooting 46.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 65.5 points.

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