MAINE vs. GEORGE WASHINGTON

Time, site: Saturday, noon; Smith Athletic Center, Washington, D.C.

Records: Maine 2-4; George Washington 4-3

Series, last meeting: GW leads 3-0; GW 59-47 on 11/30/01

Key players: Maine – 6-1 G/F Bracey Barker (13.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg, .857 FT pct.), 6-3 C Abby Schrader (12.3 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 1.3 bpg), 5-8 G Ashley Underwood (11.0 ppg, .417 3-pt. pct.), 6-2 F Katie Whittier (8.5 ppg, 8.2 rpg, .595 FG pct.), 5-6 G Margaret Elderton (4.3 ppg, 2.3 apg), 5-8 G Ameshia Bryant (5.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg, .636 FG pct.); George Washington – 5-8 G Kimberly Beck (12.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 5.7 apg, .419 3-pt. pct.), 5-11 G Sarah-Jo Lawrence (11.3 ppg), 6-2 F/C Jessica Simmonds (10.1 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 1.4 bpg), 5-10 G/F Kenan Cole (6.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg)

Outlook: Coach Ann McInerney’s Black Bears reach the midpoint of their tough, five-game road swing, taking on the Colonials of the Atlantic 10. UMaine has lost four straight, allowing an average of 70.8 ppg, while opponents have shot almost 41 percent from the field during that stretch. The Bears hope to tighten up their defense, cut down on turnovers (21.3 per outing) and execute crisply on offense while getting balanced contributions. GW has already played three top-20 teams, beating No. 19 Purdue while losing to No. 1 Tennessee and No. 18 Texas. The Colonials, who rely heavily on their top six players, are giving up only 57.7 ppg.