WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Maine vs. New Hampshire

Time, site: Tuesday, 7 p.m.; Lundholm Gym, Durham, N.H.

Records: Maine 14-10 (7-6 America East), New Hampshire 13-10 (7-5)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 32-14; Maine won 64-51 on Jan. 27

Key players: Maine – 6-1 F Heather Ernest (12.9 ppg, 7.0 rpg), 5-7 G Missy Traversi (10.3 ppg, 3.0 apg), 5-9 G Melissa Heon (10.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.7 spg), 6-0 F Monica Peterson (9.1 ppg, 8.3 rpg), 5-7 G Kim Corbitt 7.2 ppg, 2.5 apg), 6-1 G/F Julie Veilleux (7.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg); New Hampshire – 6-1 F Aubrey Danen (11.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg), 6-3 C Maren Matthias (11.1 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 1.2 bpg), 5-8 G Heidi Plencner 11.0 ppg, 3.3 apg, 2.4 spg), 5-9 G Geneva Livingston (6.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg), 6-3 C Anna Matthias (6.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg)

Outlook: The Bears look to shake off a poor shooting performance at Vermont by refocusing against the Wildcats. UMaine can take over fourth place with a win, but faces a tough challenge in defending the Matthias sisters and Danen inside. The Bears effectively got to the foul line and defended well in the post in the first meeting, but UNH also is capable of shooting from 3-point range. The Wildcats have won two straight, including a road victory at Stony Brook, but have been idle for a week. The Bears must keep UNH off the offensive boards and limit its second shots. And while Ernest and Peterson must produce inside, the guard trio of Heon, Corbitt and Traversi must provide a perimeter presence and force the ‘Cats to defend them off the dribble.