Women’s College Basketball

MAINE vs. HARTFORD

Time, site: Thursday, 7:30 p.m., UH Sports Center, Hartford, Conn.

Records: Maine 4-16 (2-7 NAC); Hartford 8-12 (4-5 NAC)

Series: Maine leads series 16-0, including 51-50 win on Jan. 23.

Key players: Maine – F Heather Briggs (12.1 ppg, 6.7 rpg), F Stephanie Guidi (11.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg), C Rita Sullivan (5.5 ppg), G Chrissy Strong (4.6 ppg, 5.0 apg), G Seana Dionne (4.3 ppg); Hartford – C Mary Jane Besselink (14.1 ppg, 7.7 rpg), G-F Lana Thomas (13 ppg, 5.4 rpg), G Kelly Penwell (11.4 ppg), F Candace Ward (7.6 ppg), G Maura Rodgers (7 ppg, 4.4 apg)

Outlook: Hawks are still looking for their first victory over the Black Bears. If Maine has any hope of moving up a notch and avoiding a first-round playoff game at New Hampshire, Bears must win this game. Briggs has been a rebounding machine of late, grabbing 36 over her last three games. Thomas and Besselink had 13 each in first meeting of these teams while Briggs had 18 to lead Maine. Freshman guard Stacia Rustad, who has started 16 of the 20 games, will not start for Maine as Dionne, who had a career-high 20 vs. Boston University, gets the nod. Rustad has scored only four points in her last three games.

HUSSON vs. PLYMOUTH STATE

Time, site: Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Newman Gym, Bangor.

Records: Husson 21-2, Plymouth State 9-12.

Key players: Husson – G Vicki Mazerall (15 ppg), G Kristi Wildman (14.9 ppg), F Steph Shaw (10.9 ppg), C Tara Leavitt (10.2 ppg), G Darci Collins (9.8 ppg); Plymouth State – F Betsy Bruce (14.2 ppg, 7.7 rpg), G Melissa Bryce (12 ppg, 4.4 spg), G Wendy Woodard (8.6 ppg), F Kelly Pinney (6.5 ppg), F Lauren Lavigne (6.9 ppg).

Outlook: Husson will be playing back-to-back games, having played archrival St. Joseph’s College of Standish on Wednesday night. Plymouth State beat the Braves a year ago and hurt Husson’s chances at an at-large national tournament bid. PSC players like Bryce, a Bangor High product, will have to deal with Husson’s vaunted pressure defense to pull off any upset. Bryce also needs six 3-pointers to break PSC school record for most in a career. Pinney, of Oakland, is also a Maine native.