Maine vs. Binghamton

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

Records: Maine 7-4 (0-0 America East); Binghamton 9-2 (0-0)

Series, last meeting: first meeting

Key players: Maine – 5-7 G Missy Traversi (11.9 ppg, 2.6 apg, 2.0 spg), 6-1 F Heather Ernest (11.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg), 5-9 G Melissa Heon (9.9 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.5 apg, 2.1 spg), 6-1 F Julie Veilleux (8.0 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.6 apg), 6-0 F Monica Peterson (7.4 ppg, 7.7 rpg), 6-3 C Eva Moldre (3.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.6 bpg); Binghamton – 5-10 F Leah Truncale (16.2 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 3.0 bpg, 2.3 spg), 5-10 C Sarah Cartmill (15.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.6 spg), 5-10 F Brooke Kelly (9.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg), 5-10 G Kate Townley (3.7 ppg, 4.5 apg, 4.1 rpg), 6-0 F Leala Wegwerth (5.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg)

Outlook: The Bears open the America East season against Binghamton, one of three new conference teams. UMaine looks to continue its recent defensive success after holding Rhode Island and Fordham to 39 points each in the last two games. The Bears have won five of their last six. The Bearcats, playing their first season in Division I, have won 20 or more games the last six seasons. UMaine must contend with a Binghamton team that is tough in the post, where reigning AE Player of the Week Truncale is a force. She leads the league in rebounding and ranks third in scoring. She and Cartmill account for 43 percent of the ‘Cats’ field goal attempts. Binghamton leads the league, holding opponents to 57.5 ppg and committing only 16.9 turnovers per outing.