WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

MAINE vs. ALBANY

Time, site: Saturday, 1 p.m.; RACC, Albany, N.Y.

Records: Maine 8-5 (3-0 America East); Albany 3-9 (0-3)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 4-0; Maine 79-45 on 2/26/03

Key players: Maine – 6-1 F Heather Ernest (17.3 ppg, 10.2 rpg), 5-9 G Melissa Heon (11.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.2 apg), 6-1 G/F Julie Veilleux (7.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.8 apg, .406 3-pt. pct.), 6-0 F Monica Peterson (7.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg, .800 FT pct.), 5-7 G Missy Traversi (5.3 ppg), 5-7 G Kim Corbitt (5.2 ppg, 3.3 apg, 1.7 spg); Albany – 5-11 G Becky Ayers (14.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, .862 FT pct.), 6-1 G/F Alicia Learn (11.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.7 bpg), 6-4 C Danielle Hutcheson (10.6 ppg, 8.7 rpg), 6-1 F Maree Jones (7.7 ppg, 7.2 rpg), 5-8 G Sarah Sweetland (5.5 ppg, 4.7 apg, 1.5 spg)

Outlook: The Bears look to extend their AE regular-season win streak to 20 games. UMaine has won three in a row, allowing only 51.3 ppg in that span. Albany has dropped four straight, including Wednesday’s 70-60 loss at Binghamton. The keys for the Bears continue to be stingy defense, determined rebounding, and taking advantage of fast-break chances. Ernest is encountering frequent double-teams, which means UMaine’s guards must be aggressive off the dribble and look to score or find Peterson or Abby Schrader open opposite Ernest. Albany has decent athleticism, but hasn’t distinguished itself in any particular area.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

MAINE vs. ALBANY

Time, site: Sunday, 1 p.m.; Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 9-5 (3-2 America East); Albany 3-11 (1-4 AE)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 4-0; Maine 82-71 on 2/8/03

Key players: Maine – 6-2 G Kevin Reed (15.5 ppg, 6.9 rpg, .830 FT pct.), 6-3 G Eric Dobson (12.5 ppg, 5.9 apg, 1.4 spg, .508 FG pct.), 6-10 F Mark Flavin (9.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.1 bpg, .533 FG pct.), 6-3 G Chris Markwood (6.9 ppg), 6-7 F Joe Campbell (6.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg, .889 FT pct.), 6-9 F David Dubois (6.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg); Albany – 6-6 F Levi Levine (16.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.4 apg), 5-9 G Jon Iati (14.0 ppg, 3.5 apg), 6-6 F Aquawasi St. Hillaire (9.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg, .520 FG pct., .882 FT pct.), 6-6 F Jerrad Knotts (5.4 ppg), 6-6 F Chris Wyatt (4.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg)

Outlook: The Bears, coming off a win at New Hampshire, will try to stay perfect (4-0 all-time) against the Great Danes. Maine has been led by Reed and Dobson, with Dobson picking up his offensive production of late. Albany has lost six of seven and is 1-6 on the road this season. The Bears rank first in AE in FG pct. defense (.396), FG pct. (.460), and 3-pt. FG pct. (.358). Albany is the top FT shooting team (.770). Maine seeks offensive balance, including a strong 3-point presence and solid post play. The Bears also look to continue to keep their turnovers to a minimum, thus limiting transition chances. The Great Danes are thin because of injuries.