NCAA Tournament

MAINE vs. GEORGE WASHINGTON

Time, site: Friday, 6 p.m.; University Hall, Charlottesville, Va.

Records: Maine 27-4; George Washington 25-6

Series: 1st meeting

Key players: Maine – 5-9 G Cindy Blodgett (27.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.5 apg, 2.7 spg), 6-4 C Stacey Porrini (12.4 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 2.5 bpg), 6-0 F Steph Guidi (8.2 ppg), 5-9 G/F Trisha Ripton (7.8 ppg, 4.2 apg), 5-11 F Catherine Gallant (7.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg), 5-7 G Stacia Rustad (5.7 ppg); George Washington – 6-2 C Tajama Abraham (19.5 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 2.6 bpg), 5-10 F Lisa Cermignano (13.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.0 spg), 5-11 G Myriah Lonergan (11.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg), 6-2 F Mandisa Turner (6.8 ppg), 5-8 G Colleen McCrea (5.9 ppg, 6.5 apg).

Outlook: The North Atlantic Conference champion Black Bears seek their first NCAA Tournament victory against the Colonials, the Atlantic 10 titlists, who are making the program’s fifth tourney appearance in six seasons. Defense has been the cornerstone of both teams’ success as Maine is tied for third nationally in field goal percentage defense at .350, while GW is tied for ninth at .361. Both teams rely heavily on a matchup zone to hold opponents in check. The Bears have allowed 59.3 ppg, the Colonials 61.2 per outing. The teams are similar in that they can score from inside or outside, but GW holds the overall size advantage.

The Colonials shoot the 3-pointer more often, but the Bears hold an edge in free-throw percentage.