MAINE vs. HARTFORD

Time, site: Thursday, 7 p.m.; Chase Family Arena, West Hartford, Conn.

Records: Maine 12-14 (9-8 America East); Hartford 13-13 (8-9)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 30-3; Maine won 69-47 on Feb. 2

Key players: Maine – 6-1 F Heather Ernest (13.8 ppg, 10.6 rpg), 5-11 F Kizzy Lopez (11.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.2 spg), 5-9 G Tracy Guerrette (6.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.5 apg), 5-9 G Melissa Heon (6.1 ppg, 1.5 apg), 6-1 F Anna James (5.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg), 5-9 G Ellen Geraghty (8.1 ppg); Hartford – 5-10 F Janeka Lopp (13.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg), 6-3 C Kenitra Johnson (11.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg), 6-0 F Anne Whalen (7.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg), 5-8 G Dorcas Miller (6.2 ppg), 5-7 G Cheri Eleazer (5.8 ppg, 2.2 apg)

Outlook: A victory in their regular-season finale gives the Bears the No. 4 seed in the league tournament. A loss means UMaine must wait to find out where they’ll be positioned. The Bears eye a cohesive, two-way performance against the Hawks. UMaine has dropped two of its last three, coming off Saturday’s win over Northeastern. Hartford is what UMaine coach Sharon Versyp calls the league’s most athletic team. The Hawks possess quickness and, more importantly against the Bears, excellent depth. Hartford has lost three of its last four, but took Delaware to overtime last week and is 6-2 in league games at home. UMaine must contain Johnson inside, keep the tempo in check and contest the 3-point shooters. The Bears dominated the rebounding 55-28 in the first meeting at Orono and scored 24 second-chance points.