Maine vs. National Women’s Basketball League elite

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

Records: Maine 0-1 (exhibition), NWBL Elite 0-2

Key players: Maine – 6-1 F Heather Ernest (11 points, 7 rebounds vs. Galatasaray), 5-7 G Missy Traversi (5 pts., 2 assists), 5-9 G Tracy Guerrette (10 pts., 5 asst.), 6-3 C Eva Moldre (11 pts., 8 rebs.), 6-0 F Julie Veilleux (9 pts., 4 rebs.), 6-0 F Monica Peterson (5 pts., 7 rebs.); NWBL – 5-10 G Kristen McCormick (played at UMaine), 6-3 C Kristen McCoy (Syracuse), 6-0 G Beth Kuzmeski (Massachusetts), 6-0 F Kim Martin (Temple), 5-11 F Sancha Works (Nevada-Reno)

Outlook: The Bears hope to put together a more cohesive performance than in last week’s 62-55 loss to Galatasaray Club of Turkey. Coach Sharon Versyp is looking for more intensity and commitment on the defensive end. Offensively, she wants UMaine to run its half-court offensive sets crisply and execute well. “We need to pound it inside and get to the [foul] line,” Versyp said. The team continues to search for better chemistry as the veterans and newcomers work together. Time is of the essence as the Bears’ regular-season opener against Kent State (Ohio) at the Augusta Civic Center looms on Nov. 16. Former UMaine 3-point specialist McCormick returns to Orono to face her former team and a few old friends. The NWBL squad has lost to Massachusetts (61-45 on Nov. 4) and Fordham (79-49 on Nov. 3). Kelly Manning (leg), Pam Cruz (knee), and Anna James (illness) remain sidelined.