HARTFORD, Conn. – Monica Peterson is one of the toughest and most knowledgable players on the Maine women’s basketball team, according to coach Sharon Versyp. So why doesn’t she start?

“I don’t like to start,” Peterson said with a smile after Friday’s America East Conference semifinal against No. 4 New Hampshire. “I told Coach last year that I didn’t want to start. I’m nervous when I start. I just don’t like it.”

No matter. Peterson comes off the bench for the Bears, and has had a big impact on Maine’s two tournament games. In fact, the backup Bears, as they have all season, are a big reason No. 1 Maine is headed to Saturday’s conference championship final after Friday’s 71-65 win.

The Bears will face the winner of Friday’s second semifinal between No. 3 Boston University and No. 2 Vermont. Game time is 4 p.m. at Chase Family Arena.

Peterson played 29 minutes Friday evening, the most of anyone on the team, scored eight points and tallied a team-high eight rebounds. She entered the game almost five minutes into the first half and immediately grabbed the rebound of a missed New Hampshire free throw.

The 6-foot sophomore forward was also on the floor in the final minute of the game as the Black Bears were trying to withstand a Wildcat rally. Peterson had left the floor with 2:27 left in the second half but remained crouched near the coaching staff, ready to re-enter, and did so 91 seconds later.

“I have to have her on the floor,” Versyp said. “She does so many intangible things it’s amazing.”

Maine was looking to get quality minutes out of its subs, what with the championship game less than 24 hours away and the Black Bear starters seeking some time on the bench to rest up.

The Maine bench contributed 25 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, four steals, and made 11 of its 21 shots.

“It takes more than five players to win the game and for us to come in here and my role, knock down the 3, give you good energy, good minutes, that’s what I have to do,” said substitute point guard Missy Traversi, who scored 10 points. “… The bench is very important for us.”

Peterson has been averaging 6.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, but has elevated her efforts in the postseason. Peterson had 14 points and seven rebounds against No. 8 Hartford in Thursday’s quarterfinal. She’s 9-for-16 from the floor in the two games.

“I’ve just been hitting my shots, I guess,” Peterson said. “We’ve really been passing the ball around well and everybody’s been contributing. We have so much balance scoring that it’s great.”

Sophomore Traversi was perfect from the floor in her 18 minutes Friday night. She went 4-for-4 and hit two 3-pointers to go with two assists, three steals and just one turnover to follow up an eight-point effort Thursday.

“[Starting guard Melissa Heon] in the first half didn’t knock as many shots down as normal but Missy stepped up,” Versyp said.

Abby Schrader, the back-up center, contributed four points.

So next year, when she’s a junior with a little more experience under her belt, would Peterson give Versyp the go-ahead to use her as a starter?

“I don’t know,” Peterson said, flashing another smile. “Maybe.”