Women’s College Basketball

NAIA District 5 Semifinals

No. 1 HUSSON vs. No. 5 U-NEW ENGLAND

Time, site: Monday, 3 p.m., Portland Expo, Portland

Records: Husson 24-2, U-New England 15-6

Key players: Husson – G Kristi Wildman (15.5 ppg), G Vicki Mazerall (15.0 ppg), F Steph Shaw (10.5 ppg), F Tara Leavitt (10 ppg), G Darci Collins (9.5 ppg); UNE – G Darcie Trudeau (18.1 ppg), G Karen Bailey, F Maureen Cahill, F Stacey Fondak, F Lisa Hodgdon.

Outlook: Husson swept regular-season series with a 75-66 win at UNE and a 79-60 victory in Bangor. Braves must limit Bailey and Trudeau and their potent 3-point shot while also making a mess of things for UNE with its heavy pressure. Braves are much deeper off the bench than the Red Knights and, after looking lethargic toward the end of their 22-game winning streak, the Husson squad is more focused once again.

No. 2 ST. JOSEPH’S vs. No. 6 UM-FARMINGTON

Time, site: Monday, 1 p.m., Portland Expo, Portland

Records: St. Joseph’s 23-3, UM-Farmington 15-8

Key players: St. Joseph’s – C Sharon Rines (19 ppg), F Jill Bourget (11 ppg), F Danielle Bouchard (11 ppg), G Neile Joler (8 ppg), G Sheri McCarthy (10 ppg); UM-Farmington – G Candy Berger (11 ppg), C Jen Daggett, F Nicole Fraser (11 ppg), G Dawn Anne Higgins (17 ppg), F Marsha Hamlin (8 ppg).

Outlook: Playing at home, the Beavers of UMF came within 12 points of the taller, quicker Monks. On the road, it was a 21-point blowout win for SJC. All signs point to win No. 3 on the season for Coach Mike McDevitt’s Monks. UM-Farmington must look to contain Rines while also stopping Joler and McCarthy from the perimeter. It’s a tough chore, hence the Monks’ impressive record.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE: Winners play Tuesday at 6 p.m. for NAIA Dist. 5 championship; Winner of that game will compete in NAIA Div. II National Tournament in Monmouth, Ore., on March 11-16.