ORONO – Alfond Arena is sort of a home-away-from-home for the University of Maine women’s basketball team.

The Black Bears seldom get to practice there, but play their home games on the facility’s portable hardwood floor.

Two UMaine players will experience the unique thrill of running onto the Alfond Arena court today with a vocal crowd cheering them on when the Bears face Boston University in a noon regular-season finale.

Ellen Geraghty, who has been with the program for five seasons, and four-year veteran Pam Cruz, who plans to graduate in May despite having another year of athletic eligibility, will be honored before the game.

Geraghty, a 5-foot-9 guard from Winsted, Conn., and Cruz, a 5-9 guard from Huntsville, Ala., both have been plagued by illness and/or injuries during their time in Orono.

Geraghty was a freshman in 1999 when UMaine posted its first-ever NCAA postseason victory with a first-round win over Stanford at Norfolk, Va. She has seen her career sidetracked by mononucleosis, back problems, and other ailments.

However, the two-time captain has been healthy enough this season to be a key contributor coming off the bench at the shooting guard spot.

“She’s a kid who wants to continue to learn and play basketball,” said UMaine coach Sharon Versyp. “This year’s been really awesome for her being able to play an entire year.”

Cruz came off the bench to provide a defensive spark during her freshman campaign in 1999-2000. However, she has since suffered through three knee surgeries that have all but ended her career.

“Pam stuck with it and has been a warrior,” Versyp said. “She has really shown that toughness that she loves the game so much she’ll do anything it takes to be part of the team.”

Both players have earned the respect of their coaches and teammates because of their determination in the face of adversity and their commitment to the team.

“They have both had injuries that don’t allow them to play and that’s very hard until you’ve been in that position,” Versyp said.

Further, Geraghty and Cruz have been willing to use their leadership skills to support their teammates and encourage them to remain completely committed to themselves and the team. It is those qualities that have made them such valuable contributors to the program.