MAINE vs. BROWN

Time, site: Saturday, 1 p.m.; Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland

Records: Maine 4-2; Brown 1-6

Series: Brown leads 3-1

Key players: Maine – 6-1 G Casey Arena (11.8 ppg, 6.0 apg), 6-5 F Ramone Jones (8.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg), 6-3 G Matt Moore (8.5 ppg), 6-6 C Greg Logan (7.7 ppg, 10.3 rpg), 5-10 G John Gordon (12.0 ppg); Brown – 6-3 G Eric Blackiston (8.3 ppg, 3.0 apg), 6-4 F Brian Lloyd (8.7 ppg), 6-7 F James Joseph (8.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg), 6-3 G Aaron Butler (7.4 ppg), 6-6 C Chris White (3.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg).

Outlook: The Black Bears turn the corner into the New Year with the first of two non-conference games on their way to seven games in 14 days. Maine’s early success has come from a stingy defense that leads the North Atlantic Conference, holding opponents to 59.8 points per game. Jones and Arena are the mainstays. Brown is paced by the All-Ivy League backcourt of pro prospect Blackiston and Butler. Brown, which beat Maine 87-78 last season, has dropped four in a row, including Thursday’s 95-47 setback at Pittsburgh. The Bears from Providence, R.I., have struggled offensively, averaging only 56.7 ppg while allowing 71.6 per outing. Maine is 5-10 in games played at CCCC, but has won the last two. Children 12 or under will be admitted free.