Melissa Heon is the player on whom the University of Maine women’s basketball team relies to set the tone defensively and emotionally.

The senior guard from Somersworth, N.H., who has missed the last three games with a left thumb injury, is expected to be back in the lineup for today’s key early season America East meeting between the Black Bears and the Catamounts at Patrick Gym in Burlington, Vt.

While the injured thumb may be wrapped and could affect Heon’s play, UMaine welcomes her return for such an important road contest.

“It’s a great place to play and our kids get fired up to play there,” said UMaine coach Sharon Versyp. “I think Melissa will bring a lift.”

The Bears haven’t been the same team during Heon’s absence, losing two of three games. Taking a four-year starter out of the lineup is one thing, but it’s the intangibles she brings to the table that have been missed the most.

“It’s more the spirit and the soul that she has and the defensive intensity that she brings,” Versyp said.

Nobody wants to be back on the court more than Heon, who injured the thumb in practice back on Dec. 26.

“I’m not a bystander, I’m a player. I can’t wait to get back out there,” said Heon, who begged Versyp and trainer Sherrie Weeks to be allowed to play Wednesday against Binghamton, but was held out.

Heon, a 5-foot-9 shooting guard, is averaging 10.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and a team-high 3.6 assists per game. UMaine is 5-0 this season when she scores at least 10 points.

Heon, who also is among the Bears’ most clutch free-throw shooters, said she has benefited from her days on the sideline.

“It’s been brutal, as in I wish I was out there, but watching these last three games, I’ve learned so much,” Heon said. “It’s been interesting.”

UMaine hopes Heon’s return to the lineup will help the Bears regain the defensive intensity, open-court savvy, and clutch play that helped them go undefeated in America East play last season.