Women’s basketball

MAINE vs. DELAWARE

Time, site: Tuesday, 7 p.m.; Bob Carpenter Center, Newark, Del.

Records: Maine 8-4, 2-0 NAC; Delaware 2-6, 1-0

Series: Maine leads 7-1

Key players: Maine – 5-9 G Cindy Blodgett (22.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 4.6 apg, 2.5 spg), 6-4 C Stacey Porrini (12.4 ppg, 9.5 rpg), 5-11 F Catherine Gallant (8.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg), 5-9 G Trisha Ripton (8.1 ppg, 2.8 apg), 5-9 G Sanppg); Delaware – 5-11 F Shanda Piggott (12.6 ppg, 7.5 rpg), 5-9 G Denise Wojciech (10.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.6 apg), 5-7 G Keisha McFadgion (10.6 ppg, 2.0 spg), 5-9 G Cami Ruck (9.6 ppg, 3.6 apg), 5-10 F Jackie Porac (7.9 ppg, 7.6 rpg).

Outlook: The Black Bears’ quest for a second straight berth in the NCAA Tournament begins in earnest tonight as Coach Joanne Palombo-McCallie’s team moves into the thick of its North Atlantic Conference schedule. Maine has had four days off after a 73-59 loss to host Washington in the title game of the Seattle Times Husky Classic. The Blue Hens, coached by Joyce Perry, have lost four of five, beating NAC newcomer Towson State. Delaware lost to St. Joseph’s (Pa.) 77-67 in its last game on Dec. 19. Maine’s first-half defense has been suspect in the last two games, giving up an average of 40.5 points. But the Bears have limited the opposition to 30.5 points in the second half of those contests. Blodgett continues to carry much of the scoring load and Porrini has been steady inside. Palombo has used only seven players of late with the return of Steph Guidi, who has been bothered by a sore right ankle.