Women’s basketball

Hurricane Holiday Classic

MAINE vs. MISSISSIPPI

Time, site: Wednesday, 5 p.m.; BankUnited Center, Coral Gables, Fla.

Records: Maine 2-5; Mississippi 9-2

Series, last meeting: Mississippi leads 2-0; 77-72 (OT) on 11/28/98

Key players: Maine – 6-1 F Bracey Barker (12.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg, .867 FT pct.), 6-3 C Abby Schrader (11.7 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 1.1 bpg), 5-8 G Ashley Underwood (10.9 ppg, .419 3-pt. pct.), 6-2 F Katie Whittier (9.6 ppg, 7.4 rpg, .630 FG pct.), 5-6 G Margaret Elderton (3.7 ppg, 2.4 apg), 5-8 G Ameshia Bryant (4.9 ppg, 5.7 rpg); Ole Miss – 5-9 G Armintie Price (18.2 ppg, 10.9 rpg, 3.8 spg), 5-9 G Ashley Johnson (13.5 ppg), 5-6 G Ashley Awkward (9.9 ppg, 2.6 apg), 6-0 F Carla Bartee (8.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg), 6-1 F Jada Mincy (5.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg)

Outlook: The Bears’ fun in the sun turns to work with a game against the Rebels. Ole Miss was ranked No. 24 last week before a loss at Louisiana Tech. UMaine could struggle mightily against a squad that features athleticism, quickness, and depth. The Bears, who are averaging 22.3 turnovers, must reduce those dramatically, execute crisply on offense, play tenacious defense, and rebound hard to keep pace with the Rebels. Ole Miss’ focal point is Price, a versatile junior who has a knack for getting to the basket (134 FG attempts) and drawing fouls (102 FT attempts).