PROVIDENCE, R.I. — On Monday, Nov. 2, the University of Maine men’s basketball team opened the 2026-27 season against the Providence College Friars. The game did not go in the Black Bears’ favor as they lost 83-56 at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Rhode Island. Six different Black Bears found the scoring column, led by first-year guard Hudson Franz with 13 points in his collegiate debut, followed closely by third-year guard Ayden Evans with 11 points and graduate student forward Killian Gribben with 10 points. This was the 13th meeting all-time between these two programs, with Providence holding the all-time record at 12 wins.
The Black Bears concluded the 2025-26 season with an 8-24 record and a two-point loss at No. 3 New Jersey Institute of Technology in the America East playoffs quarterfinals. The team has since added eight new players to the program during the offseason, with five transfers and three first-years. Many curious Black Bear fans watched this matchup against Providence to see what the new team has to offer in its rebuilding year.
The tipoff started in the Friars’ favor, but Maine was able to turn it around quickly and got the first three points of the game at the 2:23 mark from fourth-year guard Villiam Garcia Austen. Providence was able to respond quickly and secured a layup less than a minute later from graduate student guard Miles Byrd to make the score 3-2 in the opening minutes. Maine connected on five of its first 10 attempts from the floor, including four 3-pointers, to keep the score within five points throughout the first 10 minutes of the match. The Friars were ruthless in their counterattacks, forcing Maine into 12 turnovers compared to their five at the end of the half. The Black Bears still managed to keep the score close, heading into halftime trailing by only eight points at 34-26.
The Friars got on the board first in the second half with a layup from fourth-year guard Malik Mack to extend the lead. Providence continued on a dominant 13-0 run to break open the uncomfortable lead and stabilize its defense to shut down Maine, forcing the Black Bears to take a timeout just minutes after play resumed. A key factor in Providence’s breakthrough was capitalizing on 23 Maine turnovers, outscoring the Black Bears 29-6 in points off turnovers and 42-10 in the paint. Seven of those steals came from Byrd, who had the most of the night. Leading in points for the competition was redshirt third-year forward Jacob Bannarbie with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Providence’s depth and defensive intensity ultimately proved to be too much for Maine to overcome. The Friars scored 49 points in the second half and built a lead as large as 33 points, turning a competitive first half into a commanding season-opening win.
