MAINE vs. DELAWARE

Time, site: Sunday, noon; Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 3-4 (1-1 America East); Delaware 6-3 (3-0)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 17-2; UM won 74-66 on 3/10/00

Key players: Maine – 6-1 F Heather Ernest (12.4 ppg, 9.4 rpg), 5-9 G Ellen Geraghty (10.3 ppg, 2.0 apg), 6-2 C Christy Grover (10.0 ppg, 6.4 rpg), 6-1 G/F Julie Veilleux (9.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.1 apg), 5-11 G/F Kizzy Lopez (8.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg), 5-9 G Tracy Guerrette (3.3 ppg, 3.2 apg); Delaware – 5-8 G Cindy Johnson (16.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg), 6-1 F Christina Rible (12.8 ppg, 10.7 rpg), 5-11 F Danielle Leyfert (9.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.1 apg), 5-6 G Megan Dellegrotti (6.9 ppg), 6-2 C Christine Cole (4.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg)

Outlook: The Bears look to capitalize on their home-court advantage against the Blue Hens, the preseason favorites to win America East. UMaine, coming off Friday’s home game with Towson, must contend with one of the league’s most experienced teams. Delaware ranks second in AE in scoring defense (60.0 points) and FG percentage defense (.352). UMaine must hustle back quickly on defense to avoid letting the speedy Johnson beat the Bears down the floor and to the basket. UMaine also must limit the Hens to one shot by boxing out and crashing. UD is averaging 32.4 free throw attempts and is shooting 71 percent from the line. Delaware finishes up a six-day road trip that included Wednesday’s game at George Mason (Va.) and Friday’s contest at New Hampshire. The Hens are playing their eighth game in 16 days.