Women’s basketball

MAINE vs. NEW HAMPSHIRE

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

Records: Maine 6-4 (0-0 America East); New Hampshire 5-6 (0-0)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 33-15; Maine won 68-65 on 2/19/02

Key players: Maine – 6-1 F Heather Ernest (20.1 ppg, 10.1 rpg, .566 FG pct.), 5-9 G Melissa Heon (11.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 4.0 apg, 2.6 spg), 5-7 G Missy Traversi (8.8 ppg, 2.4 apg), 6-1 G/F Julie Veilleux (8.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg), 6-3 C Abby Schrader (8.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, .523 FG pct.), 5-11 F Monica Peterson (7.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg); UNH – 6-3 C Maren Matthias (15.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg, .560 FG pct.), 5-11 F Lindsay Adams (9.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, .439 3-pt. pct.), 6-1 F Aubrey Danen (9.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg), 5-4 G Colleen Mullen (8.5 ppg, 5.1 apg), 5-10 G Geneva Livingston (10.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg, .556 3-pt. pct.), 5-8 Emily Caschera (1.6 ppg, 3.3 apg)

Outlook: This rivalry is marked by intensity and emotion, which will be intensified by the fact tonight marks the teams’ mutual America East opener. UMaine’s challenge is to limit Matthias inside and keep Livingston, Adams and Mullen from heating up from 3-point range. The Bears, playing the first of three games in seven day, must control the rebounding and capitalize on transition chances. UNH, the league’s worst free-throw shooting team (.591), has been solid defensively. UMaine wants to establish its post game with Ernest and Peterson, but could benefit from attacking the basket off the dribble, led by Heon and Corbitt. The Bears also want to pressure the ball, as the ‘Cats are averaging 23 turnovers.