Men’s Basketball
MAINE vs. SOUTH ALABAMA
Time, site: Saturday, 5 p.m.; Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut
Records: UMaine 0-2, South Alabama 1-2
Series, last meeting: South Alabama 1-0; South Alabama 71-59 on 11/28/08
Key players: Maine — 6-7 F Ilija Stojiljkovic (11.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg), 6-7 F Andrew Fleming (8.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg), 5-11 G Aaron Calixte (8.5 ppg, 2.5 apg), 6-6 G Ilker Er (7.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg); So. Alabama — 6-4 G Jordan Andrews (17.7 ppg, 1.7 rpg), 6-1 G Rodrick Sikes (11.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg), 6-7 F Josh Ayaji (8.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg), 6-6 F Trhae Mitchell (4.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.0 apg)
Game notes: UMaine seeks to get its offense untracked after shooting just 24.6 percent from the field in an 83-44 loss at Texas Tech on Tuesday. The Black Bears are averaging just 54.5 points per game while allowing 84.0 points per contest in losses to the Red Raiders and Boston College. Stojiljkovic has led UMaine in both scoring and rebounding in each of the team’s first two games. South Alabama is playing its second road game in three days after falling to La Salle and former UMaine coach John Giannini 81-73 on Thursday night. The Jaguars trailed by as many as 23 points early in the second half before closing to within 78-73 with 1:21 left. Andrews made four 3-pointers to score a team-high 20 points for the Jaguars, while Sikes (17), Herb McGee (12) and Ayaji (10) also scored in double figures. South Alabama, a longtime member of the Sun Belt Conference, lost to Texas Tech 75-50 in its season opener. UMaine plays its final game of the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament on Sunday against either Sacred Heart or St. Peter’s, also at Mohegan Sun Arena.