ORONO – Money talks. On Saturday, the University of Maine and University Credit Union are offering up $20,000 worth of cash and prizes during the Black Bear women’s basketball home game against Albany at Alfond Arena in Orono.

Game sponsor University Credit Union is putting up a $10,000 cash prize for a half-court shot while UMaine, through its corporate partnership with the UCU, will coordinate another contest in which the winner can take home $10,000 and other prizes.

Fans attending Saturday’s contest must sign up upon entering Alfond Arena to be eligible for the UCU half-court shot. A contestant will be selected at random from among the entries and that lucky fan will attempt to connect from the midcourt stripe to win the money.

In the UMaine/University Credit Union $10,000 Challenge, one seat in the arena will be selected at random and the ticket holder is invited to participate in the contest. That fan must make a layup, a free throw, a 3-point shot, and a half-court shot – without the aid of a rebounder – in a span of 25 seconds.

The contestant wins a prize for each of the shots made successfully.

Participants must meet contest guidelines.

Game time Saturday is noon and tickets may be purchased by calling 581-2327.

UMaine’s Manning out for season

Kelly Manning had been expected to come in and give the UMaine women’s basketball team an effective 3-point shooter.

However, the freshman guard from Charleston, W.Va., has been lost for the season with a nagging knee injury.

Manning, a 5-foot-11 left-handed sharpshooter, had arthroscopic surgery Jan. 4 to repair an anterior cruciate ligament tear in her knee. It was the same knee that forced her to miss her entire senior season at Fountain Valley (Colo.) High School, where she averaged 21.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, 8.4 steals, and 4.7 assists as a junior.

Manning led the state in steals and ranked fifth in scoring.

“She had another ACL surgery, so she will be done for the year,” said disappointed Black Bears coach Sharon Versyp, who pointed to Manning’s shooting skills as something UMaine is missing this season.

“Kelly was a big piece of the puzzle and she’s one of the best shooters,” Versyp said. “[Three-point shooting], that’s the element she’d bring and we’re lacking that on our team.”

Manning has not played for UMaine this season, but had appeared to be on the comeback trail in December after visiting the Colorado physician who performed the first surgery.

After attempting to return to practice, Manning immediately experienced problems with the knee and had to have it re-evaluated.

UMaine football banquet Jan. 25

The University of Maine football team, coming off the most successful season in the history of the program, will celebrate its successes during its annual postseason banquet.

The event is scheduled for Jan. 25 at 6 p.m. in the Wells Conference Center on the Orono campus.

Coach Jack Cosgrove’s Black Bears, who went 9-3, earned a share of the Atlantic 10 championship and advanced to the NCAA national quarterfinals, finished the year ranked 10th in The Sports Network’s Top 25 poll, and were 12th in the ESPN/USA Today poll.

Tickets for the banquet are $25 each and seating is limited. No tickets will be sold at the door.

People interested in attending should contact Caren Ford at the UMaine Football Office, 5747 Memorial Gym, Orono, ME 04469-5747 or by calling her at 581-1062. Checks should be made payable to the University of Maine.

Husson golfers aces in classroom

The Husson College golf team, coming off a season during which it won nine tournaments, including the Maine Athletic Conference and New England Golf championships, also excelled in the classroom.

Coach Bruce MacGregor’s squad posted a nifty 3.47 grade point average during the fall semester.

“The Husson golf program continues to exhibit the true meaning of the term student-athlete,” MacGregor said. “Not only did this year’s team perform at the highest level athletically, but they continued that level of success in the classroom.”

Team members include Shane Ross of Pittsfield, Jim Tribou of Winterport, Kevin Guay of Kittery, Joe Alvarez of Veazie, Corey Pion of Vassalboro, Joe Finnemore of Augusta, and Bangor’s Bill Hutchins.

Husson has qualified for next spring’s NAIA Regional Tournament.

Bates, Colby players honored

Jesse Wilfert of Colby College in Waterville and Drew Weymouth and Kim Martell of Bates College in Lewiston have been named to the Verizon Academic All-District Soccer Team chosen by the College Sports Information Directors Association.

Weymouth, a senior forward from Holden, Mass., was a first-team pick. He led the Bobcats last fall with four goals and four assists. He is now on the ballot for All-America consideration.

Eligible candidates for Academic All-America honors must have at least sophomore academic standing, must be a starter or key reserve, and must have a minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA.

Wilfert, a junior from Boxborough, Mass., boasts a 3.67 GPA in exercise and sport sciences (business) at Colby.

Martell, a junior from Needham, Mass., is a 3.71 student in neuroscience.