Women’s College Basketball

HUSSON vs. COLLEGE of ST. JOSEPH’S

Time, site: Saturday, 3 p.m., Newman Gymnasium, Bangor

Records: Husson 5-1, College of St. Joseph’s 2-3

Key players: Husson – G Kristi Wildman (15.8 ppg), G Darci Collins (12.3 ppg), G Vicki Mazerall (12.3 ppg), F Anne Cote (11.0 ppg), F Steph Shaw (8.3 ppg), C Tara Leavitt (10.3 ppg); College of St. Joseph’s – G Sue Snow, G Heather Muzeroll, C Heather Murphy, F Lori Hanscom, G Jen Pike

Outlook: After a season-opening loss, Coach Kissy Walker’s Braves have won five straight. Husson is using its defensive pressure and guard play to its advantage. When Cote is hot, she’s unstoppable (17 second-half points vs. Colby on Wednesday). Saints, a surprising 18-6 and Dist. 5 semifinalists last year, is trying to rebound from the big loss of would-be sophomore Catrina Rainey, last year’s top scorer and top rebounder in the district who did not return to school for personal reasons. Coach Kelly Nobert, like Walker, a former University of Maine player, is relying on the freshmen for production.

HUSSON vs. SOUTHERN MAINE

Time, site: Sunday, 1 p.m., Newman Gymnasium, Bangor

Records: Husson 5-1 (not including Saturday), USM 4-1

Key players: Husson – G Kristi Wildman, G Darci Collins, G Vicki Mazerall, F Anne Cote, F Steph Shaw, C Tara Leavitt; Southern Maine – F Allison Gagnon (11 ppg), G Lori Towle (10 ppg), F Katariina Pulkkinen (10 ppg, 6.3 rpg), F Anna Struck (9.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg), F Cynde LaPierre (9.5 ppg)

Outlook: Southern Maine, on an NCAA Div. III upswing under Coach Gary Fifield, is coming into this game looking to avenge last year’s loss to Husson in Gorham. A key difference this year: Stephanie Lebel, the Husson player who helped the Braves win it down the stretch, is now sitting on the Southern Maine bench after transferring. Husson will have advantage on matchup inside vs. the Huskies and the Braves guards are going to have to cause some turnovers and finish the break.

Other games: Saturday – Colby at Nichols Tournament, TBA; Bates at MIT, 1 p.m.; Bowdoin at Tufts, 5:30 p.m.; U-New England at Thomas, 1 p.m.; UM-Farmington at UM-Machias, 2 p.m.; UM-Presque Isle at Lyndon State, 6 p.m.; Sunday – Colby at Nichols Tournament, TBA; UM-Presque Isle at Johnson State, noon