Women’s basketball

Maine vs. Galatasaray Club (Turkey)

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

Records: Maine 0-0; Galatasary 0-0

Key players: Maine – 6-1 F Heather Ernest (13.9 ppg, 10.3 rpg last season), 5-9 G Tracy Guerrette (5.7 ppg, 3.3 apg), 5-9 G Ellen Geraghty (8.4 ppg), 6-1 F Julie Veilleux (7.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg), 6-3 C Eva Moldre (1.4 ppg, 1.6 rpg), 5-7 G Missy Traversi (1st season), 5-7 G Kim Corbitt (1st season); Galatasaray – 5-7 G Esra Sencebe, 6-0 F Gulizar Kolcalar, 6-0 F Celen Kilinc, 6-2 C Gorkem Ertas, 5-9 G Tugba Tasci, 5-11 F Burcu Turan, 6-3 G Seda Tekindag

Outlook: The Bears get their first chance to experiment with their personnel in the hope of establishing winning chemistry. UMaine boasts six healthy veterans and five newcomers, all of whom will see action. Galatasary Club opens its 11-game swing through the Northeast in Orono. It also will face America East squads Vermont, Northeastern, Boston University and New Hampshire. The Turkish club team was a finalist in the Turkish Cup and reached the final eight in Euroleague last season. Galatasary’s players range between ages 16 and 27, with 181/2 being the average. UMaine hopes to show off its expanded depth, improved quickness, better ballhandling and more aggressive defensive style. The Bears will be without Anna James (illness), Pam Cruz (knee) and Kelly Manning (leg) for tonight’s game.