MAINE vs. NORTHEASTERN

Time, site: Saturday, 2 p.m., Cabot Gym, Boston

Records: Maine 3-12 (2-3 NAC), Northeastern 5-11 (2-3 NAC)

Series: Northeastern leads 12-11

Key players: Maine – F Heather Briggs (11.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg), F Stephanie Guidi (10.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg), G Stacia Rustad (7.1 ppg), C Rita Sullivan (5.4 ppg), G Chrissy Strong (3.8 ppg, 5 apg, 4.1 rpg); Northeastern – G Corinne Jones (17.6 ppg), G Jackie Guidroz (5.5 ppg), C Sherry McClintock (2.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg), F Katasha Artis (12.7 ppg, 8.8 rpg), F Cordelia Washington (11.3 ppg).

Outlook: Both teams were .500 in the conference before Thursday. Maine lost to Boston University by nine while Northeastern lost to New Hampshire by two. It’s a must-win game for Maine if it is to stay in the upper echelon of the NAC standings. Maine’s Briggs is 14 points away from becoming the seventh woman player to reach the 1,000-point plateau. She is averaging 18.3 ppg over the last three games. Guidi and Sullivan must control inside game, and Strong must keep turnovers down.