Women’s basketball

MAINE vs. BOSTON UNIVERSITY

Time, site: Tuesday, 7 p.m.; Case Gym, “The Roof,” Boston, Mass.

Records: Maine 2-3 (0-0 America East); Boston University 2-4 (0-0)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 28-14; UM won 73-52 on 3/9/00

Key players: Maine – 6-1 F Heather Ernest (12.0 ppg, 9.6 rpg), 5-7 G

Ellen Geraghty (9.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.4 apg), 6-2 C Christy Grover (9.8 ppg, 6.4

rpg), 6-1 G/F Julie Veilleux (9.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg), 5-11 G/F Kizzy Lopez (9.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg), 5-10 G Lacey Stone (5.4 ppg); Boston U. – 5-11 G Katie Terhune (20.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg), 6-2 C Alison Dixon (11.3 ppg, 1.8 bpg), 6-0 G/F Dia Dufault (12.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg), 5-7 G Annie Tomasini, 5-7 G Alison Argentieri (2.5 apg)

Outlook: The Black Bears are eager to get a victory after suffering back-to-back overtime losses at Northwestern State and Stephen F. Austin last week. This is the conference opener for both teams, which ups the stakes somewhat. UMaine continues to refine its man-to-man defense while trying to smooth out its offensive chemistry. The Bears feature good scoring balance and rank second in America East in rebounding with 43.6 per outing, but have averaged 23.8 turnovers. The Terriers are paced by early Rookie of the Year candidate Terhune, a slashing guard who has a knack for getting to the foul line, where she’s shooting 93 percent. BU leads the league in scoring (75.7 ppg), but is last in scoring defense (80.2 ppg) and has committed an average of 21.3 turnovers. UMaine’s ability to keep Terhune out of the paint and prevent Dixon from getting offensive rebounds are among the keys to the contest.