Women’s college basketball

MAINE vs. HARTFORD

Time, site: Saturday, 2 p.m., The Sports Center, West Hartford, Conn.

Records: Maine 10-8 (3-2 NAC), Hartford 8-8 (2-2 NAC)

Series: Maine leads series 14-0.

Key players: Maine – F Tracey Frenette (13.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg), C Jess Carpenter (13.0 ppg), F Heather Briggs (12.6 ppg, 8.3 rpg), G Julie Bradstreet (10.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 4.1 apg, 4.0 spg); G Carrie Goodhue (7.3 ppg); Hartford – F Mary Jane Besselink (8.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg), G Kelly Penwell (9.6 ppg), G Lisa Smith, C Kerri Crimmins, F Lorraine Grogan.

Outlook: Black Bears are looking to get back on track after Thursday night’s spanking by Vermont. Maine has never lost to Hartford. Over the last three meetings, however, the Black Bears’ margin of victory has dwindled from 51 points to 20 points to five points (59-54 on Jan. 9). Hawks will have to play without leading scorer and rebounder Lana Thomas (ankle injury). Sophomore guard Chris Strong (knee injury) is out for the Bears.

HUSSON vs. U-NEW ENGLAND

Time, site: Saturday, 1 p.m., at UNE Gym, Biddeford

Records: Husson 15-1, U-New England 10-5.

Key players: Husson – C Steph Lebel (17.2 ppg, 8.1 rpg), F Anne Cote (13.6 ppg), F Michelle Hamlin (11.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg), G Vicki Mazerall (9.7 ppg, 4.9 spg), G Darci Collins (7.5 ppg), G Kristi Wildman (7.3 ppg, 3.8 apg); UNE – G Cathy Bickford (19.8 ppg), G Darcie Trudeau, F Lisa Hilton, G Karen Bailey, F Maureen Cahill, C Stacy Fondak

Outlook: Bickford is one of the top offensive threats in the conference. Husson’s backcourt defense will be tested. Red Knights are looking to rebound from Thursday’s 116-84 loss to St. Joseph’s College, a team Husson has already beaten. The Braves, meanwhile, are still high after last Monday’s win at Southern Maine. Bickford, a Benton native, needs 11 more points to break the 1,000-point plateau for her career. UNE has three players injured.