Women’s basketball

MAINE vs. HARTFORD

Time, site: Saturday, 2 p.m.; Reich Pavilion, West Hartford, Conn.

Records: Maine 15-8 (11-2 America East), Hartford 16-6 (10-3)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 36-8, Hartford 53-49 on 1/19/05

Key players: Maine – 5-7 G Missy Traversi (13.0 ppg, 3.1 apg, .392 3-pt. pct.), 6-1 F Bracey Barker (11.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg), 6-0 F Monica Peterson (9.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg), 5-7 G Kim Corbitt (9.5 ppg, 4.4 apg, .507 FG pct.), 5-9 G Ashley Underwood (8.1 ppg, .380 3-pt. pct, .918 FT pct.); Hartford – 5-8 G Erika Messam (12.3 ppg, 3.2 apg), 5-9 G Ikea Witt (11.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg), 6-1 F Danielle Hood (8.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg), 6-2 C Tanika Price (8.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg), 5-8 G Danielle Wexler (7.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg)

Outlook: The Bears need no extra motivation as they try to avenge their most recent loss – 31 days ago. UMaine will try to extend its win streak to nine and solidify its position atop the AE standings. The second-place Hawks have won five of six. This time, the Bears need to defend better in the post and get some scoring production inside. But Hartford, which controlled the paint in the first meeting, also features slippery guards Messam and Witt. The Hawks are 10-0 at home this season, 6-0 in league games. Hartford has more depth; UMaine will likely try to run when possible and take the ball to the basket often. UM and UH rank 1-2 in AE scoring defense and the Hawks have allowed only 39 3-pointers.

Men’s basketball

MAINE vs. HARTFORD

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

Records: Maine 11-13 (6-9 America East), Hartford 7-17 (3-12)

Series, last meeting: Hartford leads 23-22, Hartford 73-67 on 1/19/05

Key players: Maine – 6-2 G Kevin Reed (12.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.3 spg), 6-10 F Mark Flavin (9.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg), 6-7 G-F Joe Campbell (8.8 ppg, 7.0 rpg), 6-3 G Chris Markwood (7.6 ppg, 3.8 apg); Hartford – 6-2 G Aaron Cook (15.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg), 5-11 G Charles Ford (8.2 ppg, 2.7 apg), 6-4 G-F David Ruffin (8.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg), 6-5 F Bo Taylor (7.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg)

Outlook: A backcourt decimated by injuries to Markwood (hand and hamstring), leading scorer Ernest Turner (separated shoulder), and Freddy Petkus (back) has left the Black Bears reeling down the stretch. Freshman walk-on Jason Hight of Westbrook is the only uninjured point guard and with Turner out, teams are double-teaming Reed. This is a rematch Maine has been spoiling for as the Jan. 19 game was viewed as one of the low points of the season, effort-wise, by players and coaches alike. Campbell is coming off his fourth double-double of the season and Flavin also scored in double digits. Both must continue to provide consistent offensive numbers with Turner out and Markwood ailing. Maine is scoring 63.6 points per game while giving up 65.2 and pulling down 36.8 rebounds. The Hawks are scoring 60.3 ppg and yielding 71.0 while grabbing 33.8 rebounds.