MAINE vs. VERMONT
Time, site: Saturday, 1 p.m., Alfond Sports Arena, Orono.
Records: Maine 4-17 (2-8 NAC), Vermont 21-0 (10-0 NAC).
Key players: Maine – F Heather Briggs (12.7 ppg, 6.6 rpg), F Stephanie Guidi (11.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg), C Rita Sullivan (5.4 ppg), G Chrissy Strong (4.6 ppg, 5.0 apg, 3.7 rpg), G Seana Dionne (4.1 ppg); Vermont – C Sheri Turnbull (21.9 ppg, 9.5 rpg), F Sharon Bay (13.4 ppg, 8.0 rpg), G Jen Niebling (12.8 ppg, 5 rpg), G Kari Greenbaum (11.9 ppg), G Carrie LaPine (10.2 ppg, 6.7 apg).
Outlook: It will be a day to remember for both Maine and Vermont fans. Maine will be retiring former star player Rachel Bouchard’s number at halftime while a Vermont win would give the 15th-ranked Catamounts the NCAA record for most consecutive regular season victories (49). Maine, after putting together a two-game win streak, has lost five of last six with all five losses coming within the conference. If the Catamounts do have a weakness it is their bench. Vermont’s starters average 70 points per game while bench averages only 10. Maine’s only will look to UVM in foul trouble early.
HUSSON vs. UM-PRESQUE ISLE
Time, site: Saturday, 7 p.m., UMPI Gym, Presque Isle
Records: Husson 22-2, UMPI 14-4
Key players: Husson – G Kristi Wildman (15 ppg), G Vicki Mazerall (15 ppg), F Steph Shaw (11 ppg), C Tara Leavitt (10.2 ppg), G Darci Collins (9.9 ppg); UMPI – C Debbie Draper (18.3 ppg, 11 rpg), F Michelle Davis (14.3 ppg, 3.1 spg), G Heather Brewer (7.3 ppg, 7 apg, 3.4 spg), F Tamara Blades (6.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg), G Audra Karnes (8.2 ppg), F Kelly Picard (7.7 ppg, 10 rpg)
Outlook: The regular-season finale for both schools. Husson, after having its school-record, 22-game win streak snapped on Wednesday vs. St. Joseph’s College, got back on the winning track by hammering Plymouth State 81-56 on Thursday. Braves will be looking to gain momentum heading into NAIA Dist. 5 playoffs, which begin next Wednesday. This is an important game for UMPI. A victory could give them home-court advantage for the playoffs. Owls will have to handle Husson’s pressure. Blades is tentative (twisted ankle).
Comments
comments for this post are closed