Women’s basketball

NCAA Tournament first round

MAINE vs. LSU

Time, site: Saturday, 9:30 p.m.; Maravich Assembly Center, Baton Rouge, La.

Records: Maine 22-7, LSU 23-4

Series: 1st meeting

Key players: Maine – 5-9 G Cindy Blodgett (26.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.9 apg, 3.0 spg), 6-4 F Jamie Cassidy (14.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg), 6-4 C Stacey Porrini (10.0 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 1.5 bpg), 5-7 G Amy Vachon (5.2 ppg, 4.1 apg), 5-9 G Sandi Carver (4.9 ppg); LSU – 5-9 G Elaine Powell (18.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4.2 apg, 2.4 spg), 5-10 G/F Pietra Gay (16.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 4.1 apg, 1.5 spg), 6-2 F Toni Gross (15.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.6 bpg), 5-10 G/F Katrina Hibbert (9.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.0 apg), 6-1 F Keia Howell (6.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg)

Outlook: Maine takes a contrasting combination of NCAA experience and relative youth into its third NCAA Tournament contest in three years. LSU holds the edge, which includes a No. 9 national ranking, the home-court advantage, and experience against Southeastern Conference powers such as Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. How well Maine’s freshmen handle big-game pressure is critical, while the Bears also face a squad that is quicker and taller overall. Blodgett’s ability to get Maine into an early offensive flow and the Bears’ ability to rebound strong and limit second shots are other key facets to watch.