Women’s basketball

MAINE vs. HARTFORD

Time, site: Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.; Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 15-4 (9-0 NAC), Hartford 10-7 (5-3)

Series: Maine leads 20-1

Key players: Maine – 5-9 G Cindy Blodgett (26.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 4.5 apg, 2.4 spg), 6-4 C Stacey Porrini (11.8 ppg, 9.5 rpg), 5-9 G/F Trisha Ripton (8.1 ppg, 3.1 apg), 5-11 F Catherine Gallant (8.0 ppg, 5.9 rpg), 6-0 F Steph Guidi (7.1 ppg); Hartford – 6-0 F Heather Weindorfer (18.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg), 5-8 G Candace Ward (15.4 ppg, 3.9 apg, 3.7 spg), 6-1 F/C Shawna Murphy (10.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg), 5-11 F Eryn Ivnik (6.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg), 5-7 G Maureen DiJulia (4.9 ppg, 5.4 apg, 2.2 spg).

Outlook: Maine can further solidify its hold on the North Atlantic Conference lead by beating Hartford, which is tied for third. The Bears, who have won seven in row, shook off New Hampshire Sunday while Hartford beat Towson State. The Hawks have been inconsistent, but do own a victory over second-place UNH. The game matches the top two defensive teams in the NAC. Hartford has allowed 61.4 ppg, Maine 62.9. Opponents are shooting .369 against the Bears, .384 vs. the Hawks. Hartford and Maine also rank Nos. 1 and 2 in free-throw percentage at .736 and .694, respectively. Blodgett, the nation’s scoring leader, is Maine’s catalyst. Weindorfer, the league’s best shooter at 54 percent, and Ward, the NAC leader in steals, likely will test the Bears’ defense.