Women’s College Basketball

MAINE vs. HARTFORD

Time, site: Saturday, 2 p.m., at Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 1-11 (1-2 NAC), Hartford 5-8 (1-2 NAC)

Series: Maine leads series 15-0

Key players: Maine – F Stephanie Guidi (11.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg), F Heather Briggs (10.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg), G Stacia Rustad (7.3 ppg), C Rita Sullivan (5 ppg), G Chrissy Strong (3.8 ppg, 4.4 apg); Hartford – G Lana Thomas (11.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg), C Mary Jane Besselink (15.9 ppg, 8.6 rpg), G Maura Rodgers (3.8 apg, 3.0 spg), G Kelly Penwell, G Candace Ward

Outlook: In a year full of negative firsts for the Black Bears, here is one stat fans may not want to hear: Hartford has never beaten the Black Bears. The Hawks’ best chance may come Saturday when the veteran Hawks face the youthful Bears. Hartford’s good start has been bolstered by the return of Thomas, who had her season ended last year because of injury. Besselink is tough inside. Maine is coming off a blowout loss to nationally ranked Vermont while the Hawks are coming off a tough loss to New Hampshire (82-79 on Thursday). Hartford leads the league in field goal percentage (47 percent).

HUSSON vs. U-NEW ENGLAND

Time, site: Saturday, 2 p.m., at UNE Campus Center, Biddeford

Records: Husson 15-1, UNE 8-3

Key players: Husson – G Vicki Mazerall (15.0 ppg), G Kristi Wildman (15.3 ppg), F Steph Shaw (11.4 ppg), G Darci Collins (9.9 ppg), C Tara Leavitt (9.3 ppg); U-New England – F Maureen Cahill, G Darcie Trudeau, G Karen Bailey, F Lisa Hodgdon, F Beth Mott

Outlook: A big game in NAIA District 5 terms. The Red Knights of Coach Karol L’Heureux have improved over last year, despite losing All-District backcourt player Cathy Bickford. UNE is coming off a 16-point loss to St. Joseph’s. Husson, ranked seventh in NAIA Div. II, has won 15 straight, including a 102-34 whitewashing of Notre Dame College on Friday night. Mazerall has come on of late, and Leavitt is starting play older than a freshman. Cahill is coming off a broken toe and Hodgdon is nursing a bruised abdomen and pelvis. Both players will see limited action. Amy Waterman, a Bangor native, has helped fill the void of Cahill.

Other games scheduled: Saturday – Middlebury at Bowdoin, 1 p.m.; Colby-Sawyer at Colby, 2 p.m.; Bates at Smith Invitational, TBA; Southern Maine at Eastern Conn., 2 p.m.; St. Joseph’s at UM-Farmington, 5:30 p.m.; UM-Machias at UM-Presque Isle, 3 p.m.; Sunday – Bates at Smith Invitational, TBA