MAINE vs. TOWSON

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

Records: Maine 11-4 (7-0 America East); Towson 8-8 (3-5)

Series/last meeting: Maine leads 7-0; Maine won 84-52 on 2/6/98

Key players: Maine – 6-4 C Jamie Cassidy (25.1 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 2.4 bpg), 6-4 F Martina Tinklova (10.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg), 5-7 G Amy Vachon (8.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 7.8 apg, 2.6 spg), 5-11 F Kizzy Lopez (4.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.9 spg), 5-10 G Kristen McCormick (11.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg); Towson – 6-2 F/C Jess Gordon (10.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg), 5-11 F Shniece Perry (9.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 3.6 spg), 5-8 G Mylisa Pilione (9.7 ppg), 6-0 F Faith Jones (8.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg), 5-5 G Shonte Simpson (3.1 ppg, 2.4 apg)

Outlook: The Bears, whose average margin of victory in the series is 29 points, look to continue their domination of the Tigers. Towson was mired in a four-game losing streak after Friday’s 61-51 setback at New Hampshire. The Tigers, who don’t have a take-charge offensive player, might have trouble matching up inside against Cassidy. Maine must not allow Towson’s 3-point threats, Jill McGowan and Pilione, to heat up. The Bears’ offensive superiority and stingy defensive play of late make the Tigers’ challenge a difficult one. Gordon and Perry give Towson a strong rebounding tandem with which Maine must contend.