Women’s basketball

MAINE vs. MARYLAND BALTIMORE COUNTY

Time, site: Saturday, noon; Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 5-10 (1-3 America East), UMBC 8-7 (0-4)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 4-0, Maine 63-58 on 3/5/05

Key players: Maine – 5-8 G Ashley Underwood (13.3 ppg, 2.6 apg, , .363 3-pt. pct.), 6-1 G/F Bracey Barker (12.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.0 spg), 6-3 C Abby Schrader (11.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 1.1 bpg, .746 FT pct.), 6-2 F Katie Whittier (9.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg, .653 FG pct.), 5-6 G Margaret Elderton (4.0 ppg, 2.5 apg); UMBC – 6-1 G Matea Pender (14.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, .473 3-pt. pct., .825 FT pct.), 5-7 G Brittnie Hughes (10.1 ppg, 4.8 apg), 6-3 F Amanda Robinson (10.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg), 5-11 F Sharri Rohde (9.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.7 apg, .522 FG pct.), 6-0 F Erin Voss (2. ppg, 3.2 rpg)

Outlook: The Bears return home after dropping two straight on the road. Maine could be tested by a UMBC squad that forces opponents to play extended periods of defense with its deliberate “Princeton offense.” The Retrievers have lost four straight, but have a fair amount of experience. Maine hopes to exploit a defense that has allowed 72.3 ppg in AE games on 44 percent shooting. The Bears should have a good rebounding edge, but can’t afford a lot of turnovers. Maine also would benefit from a strong start as UMBC’s scheme isn’t designed to overcome large deficits. The Retrievers like to shoot 3-pointers, so must be guarded well.

Men’s basketball

MAINE vs. UMBC

Time, site: 4 p.m. Sunday, RAC Arena, Baltimore, Md.

Records: Maine 7-10 (2-4 in America East), UMBC

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 4-1, Maine 71-57 Jan. 27, 2005

Key players: Maine – 6-2 G Ernest Turner (16.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg), 6-1 G Jon Sheets (10.0 ppg, 2.9 apg, 2.8 rpg), 6-6 F Philippe Tchekane Bofia (9.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg), 5-10 G Rashard Turner (9.2 ppg, 3.4 apg, 2.8 rpg), 6-4 G-F Chris Bruff (7.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg), 6-10 C Olli Ahvenniemi (6.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg); University of Maryland Baltimore County – 6-6 F John Zito (15.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg), 6-5 G-F Jerrell Dinkins (11.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg), 6-3 G Brian Hodges (11.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg), 6-6 F Mike Housman (8.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg), 6-2 G Chris Pugh (7.6 ppg, 3.7 apg, 2.4 rpg), 5-8 G Jay Greene (7.4 ppg, 4.0 apg, 3.3 rpg)

Outlook: With back-to-back conference wins, the Black Bears are looking to ride and build upon their momentum. The UMBC Retrievers are reeling a bit with three straight conference losses, including two to Vermont and New Hampshire, both of which Maine has beaten the last six days. UMBC, averaging 65.9 points and 33.6 rebounds per game, is giving up more points (70.3) and rebounds (35.8) to opponents. With Bofia back and starters as well as role players playing more in synch, Maine is playing its best ball of the season, but is still two games under .500 in league play is still getting outscored (66.4 to 65.8 points per game) and outrebounded (35.3 to 37.0).

Women’s hockey

MAINE vs. PROVIDENCE

Time, site: Sunday, 4 p.m., Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 10-5-5 (2-5-3 Hockey East); PC 12-7-3 (6-2-1 HE)

Series, last meeting: PC leads 18-1-3, PC 4-3 on Nov. 13, 2005

Key players: Maine – D Julie Poulin (6 goals, 14 assists), C Brigitte Laflamme (9 & 10), D Kelly Law (4 & 14), RW Sonia Corriveau (8 & 9), C Cheryl White (10 & 5), LW Patricia Gagnon (3 & 2), G Genevieve Turgeon (5-4-3, 2.52 goals-against average, .888 save percentage); Providence – LW Karen Thatcher (14 & 19), D Kristin Gigliotti (12 & 14), RW Sonny Watrous (11 & 14), LW Ashley Payton (9 & 13), D Kathleen Smith (5 & 11), D Erin Normore (3 & 12), G Jana Bugden (11-7-3, 2.43, .905)

Outlook: Both teams have Saturday afternoon games as Maine travels to Vermont while PC hosts Northeastern. PC notched a win and a 3-3 tie vs. Maine in November. The Bears will have to find a way to neutralize the Thatcher-Katy Beach-Watrous line. Gagnon, making her debut for Maine last weekend, had three goals and two assists against No. 1 New Hampshire and was chosen the league’s Rookie of the Week. Thatcher was the Player of the Week with 3 & 3 in two games against Minnesota State-Mankato. Smith was the USCHO Defensive Player of the Week with 2 & 3. Thatcher has four shorthanded goals. Maine and PC are second and third in the conference in power play proficiency at 23.4 and 20.9 percent, respectively.