Tulane/Doubletree Tournament

MAINE vs. MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE

Time, site: Monday, 7 p.m.; Fogelman Arena, New Orleans, La.

Records: Maine 4-3; Middle Tennessee State 5-2

Series: Maine leads 1-0

Key players: Maine – 6-4 C Jamie Cassidy (24.0 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 2.3 bpg), 6-4 F Martina Tinklova (12.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg), 5-10 G Kristen McCormick (10.4 ppg), 5-7 G Amy Vachon (7.9 ppg, 7.4 apg, 3.4 rpg, 2.6 spg), 5-10 F Kizzy Lopez (5.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.9 spg); Middle Tenn. – 5-11 F Bama Burrell (11.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg), 5-8 G Carlita Elder (10.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg), 5-8 G Erica Lufkin (9.6 ppg), 5-11 F Jamie Thomatis (6.3 ppg, 2.3 apg), 5-6 G Jessica McClure (5.3 ppg, 2.9 apg, 3.1 spg)

Outlook: After a four-day holiday break, the Bears play their first game since Dec. 11. Maine should be well-rested, though McCormick and Cassidy are nursing ankle sprains. The Blue Raiders, who feature quick guards (12 steals/game) and plenty of depth, could be a tough matchup. MTSU ranks fourth in the nation in 3-point shooting (.422). Maine must protect the ball against pressure defense, contest perimeter shots and control the tempo. Rebounding, a weakness of the Raiders, is another facet of the game upon which Maine could capitalize.