Women’s Basketball

MAINE vs. HARTFORD

Time, site: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.; Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 7-7 (3-1 America East), Hartford 9-4 (3-1)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 36-7, Maine 61-40 on 3/6/04

Key players: Maine – 5-7 G Missy Traversi (12.6 ppg, 2.8 apg), 6-1 F Bracey Barker (10.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg, .849 FT pct.), 6-0 F Monica Peterson (10.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg, .500 FG pct.), 5-7 G Kim Corbitt (8.5 ppg, 4.3 apg, .553 FG pct.), 5-9 G Ashley Underwood (8.1 ppg, .912 FT pct.), 6-3 C Abby Schrader (6.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg); Hartford – 5-9 G Ikea Witt (11.2 ppg, 1.6 spg, .786 FT pct.), 5-8 G Erika Messam (10.9 ppg, 2.5 apg, .833 FT pct.), 6-2 C Tanika Price (9.0 ppg, 5.9 rpg, .451 FG pct.), 5-8 G Danielle Wexler (7.5 ppg, .857 FT pct.), 6-1 F Danielle Hood (7.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg)

Outlook: The Bears should be tested by the defense-minded Hawks. Maine is shooting 42 percent from the field, but Hartford has held opponents to a league-low 34 percent. The Bears must defend a guard-oriented Hawks squad that looks to attack the basket off the dribble. Maine, the league’s top free-throw shooting team (.774), must execute well in halfcourt sets and drive to the basket hard in the hope of getting to the foul line. Peterson is averaging 12.3 points and 10.3 rebounds while shooting 57 percent in AE play. The winner moves into a two-way tie for first place with tonight’s UNH-Vermont winner. UMaine has won five straight over Hartford, which is 2-4 on the road this season.

Men’s Basketball

MAINE vs. HARTFORD

Time, site: Wednesday, 7 p.m., Reich Pavilion, Hartford, Conn.

Records: Maine 8-7 (3-3 in America East), Hartford 5-10 (1-5)

Series, last meeting: tied 22-22, Maine 75-64 on 2/4/04

Key players: Maine – 6-2 G Ernest Turner (15.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.7 apg), 6-2 G Kevin Reed (10.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg), 6-7 G-F Joe Campbell (7.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg), 6-11 F Mark Flavin (7.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg), 6-4 G-F Jermaine Jackson (6.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg); Hartford – 6-2 G Aaron Cook (14.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg), 6-4 G-F David Ruffin (8.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg), 5-11 G Charles Ford (7.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.1 apg), 6-5 F Bo Taylor (7.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg), 6-9 F Bernard Lowndes (6.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg)

Outlook: This is a good road game for the Black Bears, who have struggled a bit with two losses in their last three games. The Hawks are reeling and a win would keep Maine from falling below .500 in the conference and provide some much-needed momentum heading into a home date against a solid Northeastern squad Sunday. Maine holds a distinct advantage inside against a smaller Hawks squad and that should be opportune as Maine is looking for more consistent production from its big men in the paint. The Bears also have an advantage in the backcourt with superior perimeter shooting (35.2 percent from the 3-point line to 29.8 for Hartford). In short, this may be the right kind of game at the right time for the Bears.