MAINE vs. DREXEL

Time, site: Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 4-11 (1-5 America East), Drexel 9-4 (5-1)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 22-2; Maine won 92-64 on 2/20/00

Key players: Maine – 6-1 F Heather Ernest (12.7 ppg, 9.9 rpg), 6-1 G/F Julie Veilleux (10.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.4 spg), 5-10 F Kizzy Lopez (10.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg), 5-9 G Melissa Heon (4.4 ppg), 5-9 G Tracy Guerrette (4.5 ppg, 3.5 apg), 6-1 F Anna James (4.9 ppg); Drexel – 6-2 F Michelle Maslowski (18.2 ppg, 9.9 rpg), 5-9 G/F Katrina Martin (14.8 ppg, 9.2 rpg), 5-9 G Heather Welborn (12.5 ppg, 2.2 apg), 5-6 G Steph Frysinger (8.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.1 apg, 2.1 spg), 5-7 G Candace Wilkins (6.2 ppg, 2.8 apg)

Outlook: The Bears are happy to be back home after playing nine of their last 12 games on the road. However, UMaine could have its hands full against a Drexel club that leads the league in scoring with 76.1 points per game. The Dragons, under first-year coach Candace Crabtree, also lead America East in field-goal percentage (.429) and 3-point percentage (.377). The Bears, coming off a 79-72 loss at New Hampshire, must play tough post defense against Maslowski, who ranks second in AE scoring after sitting out last season with an injury. UMaine also must contest 3-point sniper Welborn on the perimeter while contending with the league’s top rebounding team. Drexel, coming off a 16-point win over Vermont, has a knack for getting to the foul line often and likes to play a quick tempo. The Bears need to stay out of foul trouble, especially in the frontcourt, and play intense defense for 40 minutes.