NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State men’s basketball team will host the University of Maine in the Spartans’ 2009-10 home opener on Monday night at Echols Hall. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.

The Spartans (0-1) opened the season with an 86-58 loss at 2009 NIT runner-up Baylor on Friday night in Waco, Texas. NSU shot just 33 percent for the game, while the Bears connected on 54 percent. NSU was led by Preseason MEAC Player of the Year Michael Deloach (Rocky Mount, N.C.), who scored 20 points. Senior center Joseph Dorsett-Jeffreys (Bronx, N.Y.) added 10.

Maine began its 2009-10 campaign with a 76-73 win at Fordham on Friday night. The Black Bears of the America East Conference were led by Gerald McLemore’s 26 points and eight rebounds, while Terrance Mitchell chipped in with 21 points. Maine was 10-of-20 from beyond the 3-point line, with McLemore hitting 7-of-12.

The schools have met twice previously, with each team winning once. Maine won the initial meeting, 71-62, during the 2000-01 season. NSU secured an 84-81 overtime victory the following season.

Live statistics will be available through the NSU athletics web site, www.nsuspartans.com.

Monday night is the first of three home athletic events this week on the NSU campus where the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) will collect canned food donations for the Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia.