Women’s basketball

MAINE vs. STONY BROOK

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

Records: Maine 8-7 (2-2 America East), Stony Brook 7-9 (3-1)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 7-4, Stony Brook 84-70 on 3/4/06

Key players: Maine – 6-1 F Bracey Barker (15.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, .566 FG pct., .902 FT pct.), 5-8 G Ashley Underwood (13.1 ppg), 6-2 F Katie Whittier (9.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg), 6-1 F Lindsey Hugstad-Vaa (7.4 ppg), 5-8 G Kris Younan (6.7 ppg, 2.7 apg), 5-7 G Abby Greene (4.0 ppg, 2.8 apg); SBU – 5-8 G Mykeema Ford (18.2 ppg, 4.5 apg, 2.2 spg), 6-0 F/C Jessica Smith (16.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg, .507 FG pct.), 6-1 F Dana Ferraro (6.6 ppg, 7.4 rpg), 5-9 G Kelly Watson (6.6 ppg), 5-7 G Leah Getz (6.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg)

Outlook: After dropping two straight, the Bears look to put together a full game against the Seawolves. UMaine came unraveled in the last nine minutes of Sunday’s loss at Vermont. Stony Brook has won three straight coming off Saturday’s 85-66 win at New Hampshire. The Seawolves feature the league’s top two scorers (Ford and Smith) and its leading rebounders (Ferraro and Smith). SBU is potent offensively and has allowed only 58.8 ppg in league games. Keys for UMaine include transition defense and shutting off Ford’s dribble-penetration while limiting Smith’s touches inside. The Bears can’t afford to give up many offensive rebounds and SBU leads the league in that category. UMaine needs to cut way back on turnovers and execute well on offense to maximize its AE-best field goal (.428) and free throw percentages (.744).