UMaine Capsules

Women’s basketball

MAINE vs. BINGHAMTON

Time, site: Saturday, 1 p.m.; Events Center, Vestal, N.Y.

Records: Maine 6-13 (2-6 America East), Binghamton 12-7 (5-3)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 7-2; Binghamton 66-56 on 1/4/06

Key players: Maine – 6-1 G/F Bracey Barker (13.0 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.4 apg, .782 FT pct.), 5-8 G Ashley Underwood (12.3 ppg, 2.4 apg, .359 3-pt. pct.), 6-3 C Abby Schrader (11.1 ppg, 9.1 rpg), 5-6 G Margaret Elderton (5.1 ppg, 2.4 apg), 6-2 F Lindsey Hugstad-Vaa (3.6 ppg); Binghamton – 6-2 C Laine Kurpniece (12.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg, .814 FT pct.), 5-9 G Jen Blues (11.0 ppg, .388 3-pt. pct.), 5-11 F Jen Haubrich (8.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg), 6-1 G Laura Sario (7.3 ppg, .463 3-pt. pct.), 6-1 F Brianna Thompson (5.7 ppg)

Outlook: The ninth-place Bears look to snap a three-game losing streak, but will again have only eight players in uniform. Katie Whittier (stress fracture) and Ameshia Bryant (family illness) are out, while Underwood continues to battle a sore left ankle. Binghamton, coming off a surprising 63-37 loss at UMBC, has dropped three of five. The third-place Bearcats have been without standout Rachel Laws (ankle) for the last four games. Binghamton is among the top defensive teams, allowing 59.8 ppg on 37 percent shooting in AE games. It leads the league in 3-point shooting (.350). Rebounding is a huge key for Maine in this one, as the Bearcats are No. 1 in the league in that category as well. Barker, Underwood, and Schrader will have to perform up to their capabilities for the Bears to win.

Men’s basketball

MAINE vs. BINGHAMTON

Time, site: Sunday, 1 p.m.; Events Center, Vestal, N.Y.

Records: Maine 9-12 (4-6 America East), Binghamton 9-11 (6-3)

Series, last meeting: Tied 5-5; Binghamton 71-53 on 1/12/06

Key players: Maine – 6-2 G Ernest Turner (15.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.0 apg), 5-10 G Rashard Turner (10.4 ppg, 3.0 apg), 6-5 G Jon Sheets (9.5 ppg, 2.9 apg, 2.6 rpg), 6-6 F Philippe Tchekane Bofia (9.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg), 6-4 F Chris Bruff (6.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg), 6-10 C Olli Ahvenniemi (6.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.7 bpg); Binghamton – 6-3 G Andre Heard (16.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg), 6-6 F Sebastian Hermenier (10.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg), 6-1 G Troy Hailey (10.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg), 6-0 G Mike Gordon (7.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.3 apg), 6-9 F Ian Milne (6.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg)

Outlook: The Black Bears will try to shake off Thursday’s setback against Hartford and get post players Bruff, Ahvenniemi, and Bofia more involved on the offensive end against a tall Bearcats lineup. The Bears are playing well defensively and are not turning the ball over, but rebounds have been a weakness the last two games. Ahvenniemi was ranked 22nd among NCAA Division I players nationally with 2.7 blocks per game before blocking five against Hartford. The Bearcats are averaging 60.6 ppg while opponents are scoring 61.3 ppg against them. Maine is at 64.7 ppg and 66.1 ppg, respectively. Maine is averaging 15.4 turnovers and 34.9 rebounds per game while Binghamton is turning it over 11.9 times per game and grabbing 34.0 boards a game.