Women’s basketball

MAINE vs. ALBANY

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

Records: Maine 19-4 (12-0 America East); Albany 9-15 (3-10)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 3-0; Maine 72-48 on 2/8/03

Key players – Maine: 6-1 F Heather Ernest (19.9 ppg, 9.9 rpg, .545 FG pct., .826 FT pct.), 5-9 G Melissa Heon (11.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.0 apg, 2.0 spg), 6-1 G/F Julie Veilleux (8.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg), 5-7 G Kim Corbitt (5.4 ppg, 4.4 apg, 1.7 spg), 6-3 F Abby Schrader (7.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg), 5-10 F Monica Peterson 6.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg); Albany: 5-8 G Jess McGinlay (15.6 ppg, .432 3-pt. pct., .830 FT pct.), 6-4 C Danielle Hutcheson (13.8 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 1.2 bpg), 5-4 G Kathryn Hemlock (9.8 ppg, 4.1 apg), 5-9 G Sarah Sweetland (8.9 ppg), 6-1 F Maree Jones (5.3 ppg, 7.0 rpg)

Outlook: UMaine’s stifling defense has allowed only 48.7 ppg on 34 percent shooting in league games. The Bears also must continue their strong rebounding and can’t afford a letdown against a cellar-dwelling Albany team with nothing to lose. The Great Danes, who have lost six of their last seven, are averaging only 59 ppg in AE play while shooting a league-low 38 percent from the field. UMaine looks to limit McGinlay’s open looks, especially outside the 3-point arc, while bottling up Hutcheson in the paint. The Bears are 8-1 at home this season, 8-0 in AE action.