The last time the University of Maine women’s basketball team faced Boston University, the America East championship was on the line.

The Terriers won, advancing to the NCAA Tournament.

The two teams meet again tonight at 7 in Orono with the Black Bears hoping to continue their strong play in league games.

Coach Sharon Versyp’s 9-5 Bears are off to a 4-0 start in conference play, having played stingy defense along with better offensive balance and chemistry. BU represents a big challenge for UMaine.

“There’s a lot of incentive, considering last year and everything happening with the America East tournament,” said junior guard Missy Traversi. “There’s a lot of motivation and we’re ready to go.”

While senior forward Heather Ernest of Temple continues to lead UMaine in scoring (16.9 points per game) and rebounding (9.6 rpg), she has not been quite as effective recently.

But the return of senior guard Melissa Heon after missing three games with a left thumb injury has given the Bears a big boost. Heon is averaging 13.0 ppg in league play, including 57 percent shooting (8-for-14) from 3-point range.

UMaine is 8-0 this season when Heon scores 10 points or more and the Bears are 1-5 when she scores fewer than 10.

Traversi has also been a sparkplug for UMaine of late. She averaged a team-best 13.5 points and 3.5 assists in wins over New Hampshire and Albany last week.

Traversi shot 59 percent from the field (10-for-17) during that span.

“For me the key is kind of bringing energy and excitement every game,” Traversi said.

“I’m a point guard first,” she said. “I’ve got to look to penetrate and break it down if they play zone. I’m relaxing and I’m having fun.”

UMaine has boosted its 3-point shooting in conference games, hitting at least six in the last four contests. The Bears are shooting 45 percent from long range during that stretch.

The Bears’ shooting percentages of .418 (FG), .452 (3-pt. FG) and .806 (FT) all are higher in America East play than against non-conference opponents.

Howard solid in return to action

One of the positive aspects of the UMaine men’s hockey team’s split with the Massachusetts last weekend was the play of sophomore goalie Jimmy Howard, who was returning from a knee injury that had sidelined him for more than a month.

Howard made 15 saves in Saturday’s 1-0 loss with the only goal coming on a screened shot from the middle of the high slot by Marvin Degon. Five of those saves were of the Grade-A [high-percentage] variety.

Howard was injured Dec. 13 when he stepped on a puck during pregame warmups prior to Maine’s 3-2 win over Dartmouth. His last outing was a 28-save effort in a 3-1 win at Merrimack College on Dec. 5.

“Jimmy’s play was a big plus,” said Maine coach Tim Whitehead. “For someone who hadn’t played in five weeks, it was a very impressive performance. He got stronger as the game went on. It was very positive for our team, long-term.”

Howard was satisfied with his effort.

“It wasn’t bad. It was nice to get back out there and get my feet wet again,” said Howard. “I felt fine. I was a little jumpy the first 10 minutes. After that, I settled right down and was able to play my game. I thought I did pretty well for my first night back after being off five weeks.”

Howard and goaltending partner senior Frank Doyle are among the nation’s leaders in several categories.

Doyle’s 1.53 goals-against average is second best in the country behind Brown University’s Yann Danis’ 1.52. Howard is third with a 1.61 GAA.

Howard and Doyle are third and fourth in save percentage at .932 and .930, respectively, and Doyle is one of seven goalies atop the shutouts list with four. Doyle has an 0.63 GAA and a .963 save percentage over his last five games.

Maine, as a team, has the second-lowest GAA at 1.64 behind Brown’s 1.61; is tied for sixth in penalty-killing efficiency (87.2 percent success rate); seventh in goals per game (3.64) and is the 18th most penalized team in Division I at 17.64 minutes per game.

Husson-UMF games set tonight

Newman Gym is expected to be buzzing tonight when Husson College of Bangor entertains the University of Maine-Farmington in a North Atlantic Conference basketball doubleheader.

The men’s game will open the twinbill at 5:30 p.m., with the women’s contest to follow at 7:30. The games are important, especially since only four Maine schools compete in the conference.

The women’s matchup brings together the top two teams in the NAC. The Beavers and the Braves enter the game with identical 10-2 records, including 7-0 conference marks.

Husson, coached by Kissy Walker, has won nine straight and is led by freshman center Annie McIntosh, who is averaging 10.5 points and 8.7 rebounds while shooting a league-best 54 percent from the field. The Braves also feature freshman guard Crystal Martin (9.4 ppg, 2.4 apg) and sophomore guard Holly Gracie (7.3 ppg, 2.4 apg).

Coach Jamie Beaudoin’s UM-Farmington club is paced by freshman guards Karen Sirois (11.9 ppg, 3.9 apg) and Kari Simpson (11.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg), along with junior forward Kate LaHaye (8.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg, .527 FG pct.). The Beavers have won seven in a row.

In the men’s game, coach Warren Caruso’s 8-6 Braves, who rank second in the 10-team NAC at 6-2, meet the Beavers (6-7, 4-3) of Dick Meader.

Husson has numerous weapons, including Dwayne Ailey (16.8 ppg, 4.1 apg), Buddy Leavitt (15.5 ppg, 6.6 rpg) and Bill Beauregard (10.4 ppg).

UMF’s mainstays include Travis Magnusson (15.2 ppg, 3.8 apg), Bobby Deetjen (11.8 ppg, 6.4 rpg) and Luke Neilson (10.1 ppg, .573 FG pct.).