North Atlantic Conference Semifinals

No. 1 MAINE vs. No. 4 HARTFORD

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

Records: Maine 25-4, Hartford 15-12

Series: Maine leads 22-1

Key players: Maine – 5-9 G Cindy Blodgett (27.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 4.4 apg, 2.7 spg), 6-4 C Stacey Porrini (12.7 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 2.4 bpg), 5-9 G/F Trisha Ripton (7.7 ppg, 4.0 apg), 5-11 F Catherine Gallant (7.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg), 5-7 G Stacia Rustad (5.8 ppg); Hartford – 6-0 F Heather Weindorfer (17.9 ppg, 7.3 rpg), 5-8 G Candace Ward (14.1 ppg, 4.2 apg, 3.0 spg), 6-0 F/C Shawna Murphy (10.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg), 5-11 F Eryn Ivnik (6.0 ppg), 5-7 G Maureen DiJulia (5.1 ppg, 5.0 apg, 2.2 spg).

Outlook: It took a furious comeback in the final 10 minutes for the Black Bears to beat the Hawks 75-62 at Hartford less than three weeks ago. Tonight’s semifinal matches the league’s two best defenses. The Bears have allowed only 59.1 points per game and have held opponents to 35 percent shooting, while the Hawks check in at 62.4 and 39 percent, respectively. Hartford, like the rest of the NAC, has been unable to contain Blodgett. The Hawks have enough inside-outside balance to make it interesting, but rebounding could be the key. Maine dominated the boards in the first meeting, but Hartford got the best of the Bears the last time out.