Women’s basketball

MAINE vs. BINGHAMTON

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

Records: Maine 11-8 (7-2 America East), Binghamton 6-12 (5-4)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 6-1, Maine 73-56 on 1/5/05

Key players: Maine – 5-7 G Missy Traversi (13.1 ppg, 2.9 apg, .435 3-pt. pct.), 6-1 F Bracey Barker (10.9 ppg, 6.0 rpg), 6-0 F Monica Peterson (9.5 ppg, 6.9 rpg), 5-7 G Kim Corbitt (9.2 ppg, 4.0 apg, .556 FG pct.), 5-9 G Ashley Underwood (8.0 ppg, .915 FT pct.), 6-3 C Abby Schrader (6.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg); Binghamton – 5-11 G Rachel Laws (15.3 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.8 apg, .484 FG pct.), 6-1 G Laura Sario (9.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.9 apg, .477 3-pt. pct.), 5-11 F Jen Haubrich (8.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg), 5-9 G Jen Blues (7.7 ppg), 6-2 C Laine Kurpniece (5.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg)

Outlook: The Bears seek their fifth straight win after Wednesday’s victory at Boston U. The Bearcats are coming off a 51-46 loss at Hartford. UMaine continues to exhibit tremendous offensive balance and will take what defenses give it. The Bears must contain the versatile Laws, who played only 20 minutes in the first meeting because of foul trouble. UMaine likely will utilize a zone defense to bottle up the middle, shut off penetration and limit second shots against Binghamton, the top rebounding team in AE play. The Bearcats hit 10 3-pointers in the first meeting, but have made only 27 in eight games since.

MAINE vs. BINGHAMTON

Time, site: Sunday, noon, Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 10-10 (5-6 in America East), Binghamton 6-14 (3-8)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 5-3, Binghamton 65-52 on Jan. 6

Key players: Maine – 6-2 G Ernest Turner (15.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.8 apg), 6-2 G Kevin Reed (11.3 ppg, 7.1 rpg), 6-10 F Mark Flavin (9.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg), 6-7 G-F Joe Campbell (8.3 ppg, 7.0 rpg), 6-3 G Chris Markwood 7.8 ppg, 4.3 apg); Binghamton – 6-3 G Andre Heard (14.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.9 spg), 6-1 G Troy Hailey (8.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg), 6-8 F Alex Adediran (7.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg), 6-6 F Sebastian Hermenier (6.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg), 7-0 C Nick Billings (5.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.2 bpg)

Outlook: The 13-point loss to the Bearcats Jan. 6 and another on the road in Hartford loom as the two biggest disappointments of the season for the Black Bears, who have been aching for a rematch. Billings continues to endure a disappointing season, but is 10th all-time in NCAA career blocks. The Bearcats are scoring at a 60.6 points-per-game clip, but giving up an average of 65.6 and 15 turnovers a game. Turnovers have been a problem for the Bears (18.7 per game) as well, but Maine has been taking better care of the ball since Markwood’s return and playing even better defense. If the Bears can develop consistent offensive flow, they should keep Binghamton winless on the road in conference games (0-8). The Bears need some wins after just two in their last six games.