Women’s basketball

DEAD RIVER COMPANY CLASSIC MAINE vs. CENTRAL MICHIGAN Time, site: Friday, 7 p.m.; Alfond Arena, Orono Records: Maine 1-0; Central Michigan 0-2

Series, last meeting: tied 1-1; Central Michigan won 81-56 on 1/2/93

Key players: Maine – 5-11 G/F Kizzy Lopez (16 ppg, 9 rpg), 6-1 F Heather Ernest (17 ppg, 10 rpg), 5-7 G Tracy Guerrette (2 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg), 6-0 F Anna James (4 ppg, 2 rpg), 5-10 G Lacey Stone (5 pg, 3 rpg, 3 apg), 6-1 G/F Julie Veilleux (8 ppg, 6 rpg); Central Michigan – 5-9 F Vershaun Jones (8.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg), 5-10 F Alicia Rozak (8.5 ppg, 2.5 apg), 5-10 G Laurie Henderson (7.5 ppg), 5-3 G Molli Munz (6 ppg, 6 rpg), 5-11 F Beth Kindel (16 ppg, 3 rpg),

Outlook: The Bears look to build upon their season-opening victory over Fordham against the Chippewas of the Mid-American Conference. UMaine exhibited solid defense and strong rebounding in the opener, but struggled to find consistent offensive flow. Central Michigan, which has played Providence and Binghamton, has been a cold-shooting team at 25 percent. The Chippewas, who have six freshmen and four sophomores among their 13 players, also have averaged 18.5 turnovers. As a tribute to the caliber of the tournament over the years, UMaine has won the title only once (1995) in eight tries.

FLORIDA vs. HARVARD Time, site: Friday, 4:30 p.m.; Alfond Arena, Orono Records: Florida 2-0; Harvard 0-1 Series: First meeting

Key players: Florida – 5-3 G Brandi McCain (22 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4 apg, 3.5 spg), 5-5 G Tombi Bell (19 ppg, 5.5 rebounds, 7 apg, 5.5 spg), 6-2 F Naomi Mobley (11 ppg, 11 rpg), 6-0 G Monique Cardenas (10 ppg), 6-3 C Tamara Stocks (9.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 4.5 spg), 6-4 C Vanessa Hayden (6 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 2.5 bpg); Harvard – 6-2 F Hana Peljto (21 ppg, 10 rpg), 6-0 G Bree Kelley (15 ppg, 3 spg), 5-7 G Lisa Kowal (10 ppg), 6-2 F Kate Ides (6 ppg, 6 rpg), 6-0 G/F Tricia Tubridy (6 ppg, 6 rpg), 5-6 G G Jennifer Monti (5 ppg, 4 rpg, 7 apg)

Outlook: The Gators, who just missed the NCAA Tournament last season, are off to a good start. Southeastern Conference member Florida takes on a Harvard squad that has been the class of the Ivy League in recent years. The Gators are blessed with quickness, athleticism and height. The Crimson have a nice mix of youth and experience, but are likely to have their hands full.