MAINE vs. VERMONT

Time, site: Wednesday, 7 p.m.; Patrick Gym, Burlington, Vt.

Records: Maine 21-4 (14-0 America East); Vermont 19-6 (11-3)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 42-18, Maine won 64-38 on 1/22/03

Key players: Maine – 6-1 F Heather Ernest (20.4 ppg, 9.7 rpg, .551 FG pct., .847 FT pct.), 5-9 G Melissa Heon (11.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.0 apg, 2.0 spg), 5-7 G Kim Corbitt (5.8 ppg, 4.4 apg, 1.8 spg), 6-1 G/F Julie Veilleux (8.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.0 apg), 6-3 F Abby Schrader (7.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg), 5-11 F Monica Peterson (6.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg); Vermont – 6-1 G Morgan Hall (18.5 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 4.2 apg), 6-0 F Aaron Yantzi (15.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg, .567 FG pct.), 6-0 G Dawn Cressman (7.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.3 apg), 6-1 F Lani Boardman (7.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg), 6-1 F Katie McNamara (7.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg)

Outlook: The Bears look to push their win streak to 18 games against the surging Catamounts. UMaine, which has won the AE regular-season title and the No. 1 tourney seed, expects a tough game from UVM, which got uncharacteristically blown out in Orono. Keys for the Bears include limiting Hall’s and Yantzi’s touches, winning the rebounding battle, and taking the crowd out of the game early. UVM won’t lack for motivation on “Senior Night.” The Cats, who have won seven straight, are 11-1 at home this season, including 7-0 in league games. UMaine also needs to pound the ball inside and get to the foul line. The Bears rank first in America East scoring (70.2 ppg), scoring defense (56.0) and FG percentage defense (.361). The Cats are No. 1 in FG pct. (.464) and FT pct. (.785).