VESTAL, N.Y. - Binghamton men's basketball will look for its third conference win in four early-season outings when the Bearcats (5-7, 2-1 America East) make the long trek to Bangor to face Maine (3-10, 0-2 AE) Sunday afternoon. The teams will tip at 1 p.m. from the Cross Insurance Center in a game broadcast on ESPN3. 

The Bearcats have won three of their last four games and rank second in the America East in shooting (46%). They have five players averaging nine points or more, led by juniors Tyler Bertram (10.7 ppg.) and Jacob Falko (10.7). Sophomore Kellen Amos (10.1) gives BU three players scoring in double figures. Junior Christian Hinckson leads the team in rebounding (5.6/game).     

QUICK HITS
• This is Binghamton's 76th season of basketball, 21st in the America East
• The 2021-22 season marks the NCAA coaching debut of Levell Sanders, who was elevated to the head coach position in March after two seasons as an assistant coach. Sanders previously coached five years in the Czech Republic after a 17-year pro career overseas
• After playing twice in three days, BU has been idle for seven days after its game vs. Hartford was moved to Jan. 24 with the Hawks currently in COVID protocols
• BU plays two of the next three on the road  


About Binghamton
• On a short turnaround after a Thursday night game (and lengthy bus delay), BU struggled shooting (38%) in a 67-56 home loss to NJIT last Saturday
• Shot 31% in first half and never got going offensively vs. unbeaten Highlanders
• Surrendered 44 points in the paint and NJIT 16-6 second-half run was difference
• Jacob Falko (11 pts.) reached double figures for fourth straight game
• Christian Hinckson nearly had a double-double with nine points and eight rebs.
• John McGriff returned from COVID protocols and had nine points (3-of-5 3-pt.)
• Dan Petcash returned from injury and played 14 minutes (1-of-3 3-pt.)

 About Maine
• Have had extended rest just like BU after Wednesday game at UNH was postponed with the Wildcats entering COVID protocols
• Last game was an 80-72 loss at Stony Brook on Jan. 8
• Opened AE play with narrow 69-66 loss at NJIT
• Averaging just 60 points on offense (last in AE)
• Have had 13 different players in starting lineup this season
• Played challenging non-conference schedule that included Virginia Tech, Colorado, Rutgers and Bradley
• All three wins have come against non-Division I opponents
• Picked to finish ninth in the America East Preseason Poll, just ahead of BU
• Welcomed nine new players to program after 2020-21 season was cut short in mid-January (2-7 record) due to excessive COVID complications

All-time series vs. Maine
• Maine leads the head-to-head series 21-19
• The Black Bears have won five of the last seven matchups
• The teams didn't play last year after Maine cut its season short
• The series understandably favors the home team (9-hour drive)
• Maine is 13-6 at home vs. BU and won last game, 86-63 on Jan. 19, 2020
• Last BU win at Cross Center was 83-60 on March 2, 2019, thanks to a school-record 10 3-pointers (30 pts.) by J.C. Show

Schedule Updates
The home game vs. Hartford has been rescheduled for Monday, Jan. 24 at 7:30 p.m. or 30 minutes following the women's game that evening.

Falko getting to rim
Junior guard Jacob Falko has scored in double figures four consecutive games and is averaging 18.5 points during that span. He poured in a career-high 28 points in the win at Albany on Jan. 6 following a 20-point showing against UMass Lowell two days earlier. He is the first Bearcat since Sam Sessoms to post back-to-back 20+ point games. Early in conference play, Falko ranks first in the America East assists (5.0 apg.) and seventh in scoring (19.7 ppg.).  

Bearcats among league leaders in shooting
Binghamton has found an offensive rhythm this season and ranks second in the America East in field goal percentage (46%). The Bearcats have shot above 50% in four games and above 58% in three of those. BU also ranks second in the AE in 3-point shooting (37%). They are taking four fewer per game (22) than a year ago but have raised their accuracy from 33%.  

Hinckson also picking up steam in starting role
Junior wing Christian Hinckson moved into the starting lineup five games ago and since has has averaged nearly a double-double with 9.4 points and 8.6 rebounds. During that stretch he is shooting 48% from the floor, including 57% from 3-point range. Hinckson ranks second in the AE in rebounding (9.0) in conference-only games.

Amos settling into key role
Sophomore guard Kellen Amos has offered double-digit points off the bench in three of the last four games, including 17 in the win at Albany on Jan. 6. He is shooting 45% on the season and is second on the team in 3-pointers (17).

The Bearcats in the America East
Binghamton is entering its 21st season of membership in the America East. The Bearcats are 119-203 all-time (37%) during those two decades. The team's best regular season conference records came in 2008-09 (13-3, 1st) and 2005-06 (12-4, 2nd). The program also had 10 America East wins in 2003-04 (5th place) and nine wins in both 2002-03 (4th) and 2007-08 (T-4th). Binghamton has been kept below six conference wins in 11 straight seasons.  

70 is magic number
When the Bearcats score 70 or more points, they are 4-1 this season. When opponents reach 70, BU is 1-4.

Akuwovo still tops team in season plus/minus ratings
Junior center Ogheneyole Akuwovo has the best plus/minus rating on the Bearcats with a +6 mark (not including the team's games against Division III opponents). Akuwovo was +13 against Columbia for his best single game. Kellen Amos is second on the team at +4.