MAINE vs. VERMONT

Time, site: Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.; Patrick Gym, Burlington, Vt.

Records: Maine 12-4 (6-0 NAC), Vermont 8-5 (5-0)

Series: Maine leads 27-13

Key players: Maine – 5-9 G Cindy Blodgett (25.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 4.7 apg, 2.3 spg), 6-4 C Stacey Porrini (12.3 ppg, 9.4 rpg), 5-11 F Catherine Gallant (8.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg), 5-9 G/F Trisha Ripton (7.9 ppg, 3.1 apg), 5-7 G Stacia Rustad (4.8 ppg); Vermont – 6-2 C Alex Lawson (19.1 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.4 spg), 5-9 G Lori Taylor (12.3 ppg, 4.7 apg, 2.3 spg), 6-0 F Shannon Burke (9.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg), 6-0 F Kate Cronin (9.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg), 5-9 G Carrie Kirvin (9.2 ppg, 3.2 apg).

Outlook: The Black Bears and the Catamounts collide in a battle of North Atlantic Conference unbeatens. Maine, which has outscored its NAC opponents by an average of almost 26 points, may have its hands full against Vermont. Maine is coming off Sunday’s 107-53 blowout of Drexel. UVM, which has won four straight, is 61-10 at home since Dec. 21, 1990. Coach Pam Borton’s Cats thumped Hartford 94-66 last Friday night. Vermont features one of the league’s best post players in Lawson. Maine counters inside with Porrini, who has been a force. Taylor gives UVM a good 3-point threat. Maine and Vermont rank Nos. 1-2 in the NAC in scoring at 72.9 and 70.7 ppg, respectively. The key for the Bears is limiting UVM to one shot and cashing in on their fast-break chances.