NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament

Mideast Regional

MAINE VS. TEXAS TECH

Time, site: Saturday, 9 p.m.; Dahlberg Arena, Missoula, Mont.

Records: Maine 25-6; Texas Tech 24-7

Series record: First meeting

Key players: Maine – 6-1 F Heather Ernest (16.5 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 1.8 spg), 5-9 G Melissa Heon (10.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.9 apg), 6-1 G/F Julie Veilleux (7.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg, .860 FT pct.), 5-7 G Missy Traversi (7.3 ppg), 6-0 F Monica Peterson (7.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg, .509 FG pct.), 5-7 G Kim Corbitt (6.0 ppg, 3.6 apg); Texas Tech – 6-0 G Alesha Robertson (12.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg), 5-8 G Erin Grant (8.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 6.7 apg, .833 FT pct.), 6-1 F LaToya Davis (7.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg, .600 FG pct.), 5-9 G Natalie Ritchie (6.6 ppg), 5-11 F Casey Jackson (5.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg)

Outlook: The 13th-seeded Bears play the program’s biggest game in four years against the nationally ranked Lady Raiders, seeded fourth. UMaine makes its seventh NCAA appearance, having won only once, while Texas Tech is a 17-time entry. The Bears’ keys are the usual: play hard-nosed defense, box out and rebound well, and run when possible. They believe they can run against the Raiders. TTU also prefers a brisk tempo and uses its quickness and agility to get the ball inside effectively. Tech’s good overall size and leaping ability will test UMaine’s frontcourt players, but the Bears need to attack the basket and try to get to the free-throw line. Balance is critical for both teams on the offensive end. UMaine must be prepared for a physical game and withstand such without getting frustrated or in foul trouble. The Raiders have the edge in postseason experience, but the Bears are not intimidated.