MAINE vs. VERMONT

Time, site: Thursday, 7:30 p.m., at Alfond Arena, Orono.

Records: Maine 10-7 (3-1 NAC), Vermont 13-0 (3-0 NAC)

Series: Maine leads series 24-7.

Key players: Maine – C Jess Carpenter (13.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg), F Tracey Frenette (13.0 ppg, 6.1 ppg), F Heather Briggs (12.4 ppg, 8.5 rpg), G Julie Bradstreet (10.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 4.1 apg, 4.4 spg), G Carrie Goodhue (7.8 ppg); Vermont – C Sheri Turnbull (18.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg), F Sharon Bay (17.1 ppg, 8.0 rpg), G Missy Kelsen (14.3 ppg), G Jennifer Niebling (12.5 ppg), G Maureen McCarthy (4.6 ppg).

Outlook: With a win, Vermont would be in control of the race for NAC regular season champion honors. The Catamounts beat the Black Bears 69-62 on Jan. 11. Turnbull and Bay combined for 39 points (20 and 19, respectively) in that game. Maine’s inside game has to show up because, chances are, the outside shooting will be off (Bears are playing for the first time at the chilly, expanded Alfond Arena). Maine has won eight of last 10.