Preview: Maine Black Bears at NJIT Highlanders NEWARK, N.J. (Interstat) — A pivotal America East Conference women’s basketball clash is set for Saturday at Fleisher Athletic Center as the NJIT Highlanders host the Maine Black Bears. Both teams enter the Valentine’s Day matinee with momentum and nearly identical records, adding stakes to the league standings. NJIT (15-10) holds a slight edge over Maine (14-11) in the win column. The matchup is a quick rematch of a Jan. 10 meeting in Orono, where Maine dominated in an 86-67 victory. The Black Bears will look to replicate that performance and complete a regular-season sweep. Maine arrives following a gritty 56-55 road win at Maryland-Baltimore County on Thursday. The Black Bears have won three of their last four games, including a 92-42 rout of Massachusetts-Lowell on Jan. 31 that showcased their offensive potential. NJIT counters with a 55-47 home victory over New Hampshire on Thursday, a game in which guard Allison Cannon shined. Cannon scored 17 points and blocked three shots in 38 minutes. Her recent performances have been volatile, however, ranging from that 17-point effort to a 2-point outing against UMass Lowell on Feb. 5. Containing Cannon will be a key focus for Maine’s defense. The Highlanders have been strong at home, winning two straight at Fleisher Athletic Center. Their conference schedule has been a rollercoaster, with wins over contenders like Vermont and Bryant but narrow losses to Albany and UMBC. For Maine, consistency on the road will be tested. Beyond the prior win over NJIT, their conference away results are mixed, including a recent loss at Binghamton. With both teams jockeying for position ahead of the America East tournament, Saturday’s contest offers a critical opportunity to build a résumé. NJIT seeks to defend its home court and avenge January’s loss, while Maine aims to prove its earlier win was no fluke and solidify its standing. Tip-off is scheduled for Saturday afternoon in Newark.