College basketball

Maine women vs. Towson State

Time, site: Saturday, 1 p.m.; Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 16-7 (14-1 America East); Towson State 10-14 (6-10)

Series: Maine leads 3-0

Key players: Maine – 5-9 G Cindy Blodgett (25.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 4.0 apg, 3.0 spg), 6-4 F Jamie Cassidy (14.6 ppg, 7.4 rpg), 6-4 C Stacey Porrini (9.9 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 1.2 bpg), 5-7 G Amy Vachon (5.6 ppg, 3.9 apg, 2.1 spg), 6-0 F Klara Danes (5.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg); Towson State – 5-9 F Trinette Tucker (15.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg), 5-3 G LaTonya Joyner (9.5 ppg, 4.4 apg, 2.2 spg), 5-8 F Sonia Keiner (9.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg), 5-9 G Michele Lanigan (5.5 ppg, 2.1 apg), 5-8 G Danita Smith (3.9 ppg).

Outlook: The Black Bears hope to celebrate “Senior Day” by winning their final regular-season home game. Porrini and Kelly Stubbs are Maine’s only seniors. The Tigers are battling for the No. 6 seed, which would keep them out of the play-in round. Towson is coming off a tough 74-73 loss at New Hampshire and has lost four straight. Maine can clinch home court throughout the America East Tournament with a win. The Bears set a conference scoring record in beating TSU 110-72 on Jan. 16. The Tigers have quickness, but don’t have the height to match up with Maine. Towson ranks last in America East in scoring defense (73.2 ppg) and FG percentage defense (.447). Maine is first in both categories.

Maine men vs. Towson State

Time, site: Saturday, 1 p.m.; Towson Center, Towson, Md.

Records: Maine 10-15 (6-8 America East); Towson State 6-17 (3-13)

Series: Maine leads 5-2

Key players: Maine – 6-5 F Terry Hunt (16.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg), 5-10 G John Gordon (14.6 ppg, 3.5 apg, 2.8 rpg), 6-6 F Allen Ledbetter (10.2 ppg, 9.3 rpg), 6-5 G Ramone Jones (10.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.8 apg); Towson State – 6-6 F Ralph Biggs (18.0 ppg, 6.4 rpg), 6-4 F Derick Newton 14.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg), 6-8 F Ryan Lexer (10.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg), 5-11 G Marlin Wise (2.9 ppg, 2.0 rpg), 6-0 G Michael Keyes (9.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg)

Outlook: Black Bears are one of the hottest teams in America East, winners of their last three games after Thursday’s road triumph over Delaware. Only Hartford (five games) has as long a winning string as Maine. The Bears must avoid a letdown against the conference doormats to continue a stretch run that could propel them as high as fourth in the league. Three of the Bears’ last four games are against teams below them in the standings: TSU, Vermont, and Northeastern. With three wins the Bears would surely avoid the prospect of a play-in game and could put pressure on a No. 4 Hofstra squad that finishes at Drexel, Vermont, and Hartford.