UMaine capsules

Women’s basketball

MAINE vs. BINGHAMTON

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

Team records: Maine 11-10 (5-5 AE), Binghamton 8-14 (4-5)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 7-4; Binghamton 54-49 on 1/10/07

Key players: Maine – 6-1 F Bracey Barker (15.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.5 bpg, .500 FG pct., .925 FT pct.), 5-8 G Ashley Underwood (14.4 ppg, .382 3-pt. pct.), 6-2 F Katie Whittier (9.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, .520 FG pct.), 6-1 F Lindsey Hugstad-Vaa (8.3 ppg, .548 FG pct.), 5-8 G Kris Younan (6.4 ppg, 3.4 apg), 5-7 G Abby Greene (3.8 ppg, 2.7 apg); Binghamton – 6-1 G Laura Sario (13.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg), 6-2 C Laine Kurpniece (9.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg), 5-7 G Rebecka Lindgren (9.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg), 6-1 F Brianna Thompson (9.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg), 6-2 F Laura Franceski (5.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg)

Outlook: The Bears take on the Bearcats looking to secure their hold on fourth place. UMaine is 6-2 at home this season, but has lost three straight to Binghamton. The Bearcats are rested, having been idle since last Saturday’s 70-60 win at Albany. UMaine, which beat Albany 71-63 on Wednesday, faces a Binghamton squad that can match the Bears’ frontcourt height. Barker, Hugstad-Vaa, and Whittier need to play stingy interior defense and the Bears must reduce their turnovers. Binghamton outrebounded UMaine 36-22 last month, leading to second-chance points. Underwood’s willingness to attack the basket off the dribble rather than settle for 3-pointers will be another key.

Men’s basketball

MAINE vs. BINGHAMTON

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

Records: Maine 11-13 (6-6 in America East); Binghamton 10-14 (3-9)

Series, last meeting: Binghamton leads 7-6; Maine 69-64 on 1/13/07

Key players: Maine – 6-3 G Kevin Reed (13.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.7 apg), 6-1 G Jon Sheets (11.3 ppg, 3.0 apg, 2.4 rpg), 6-4 F Chris Bruff (10.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg), 6-6 G Mark Socoby (7.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg), 6-6 F Philippe Tchekane Bofia (7.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg); Binghamton – 6-0 G Richard Forbes (11.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.8 apg), 6-4 G Steve Proctor (11.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg), 6-0 G Mike Gordon (10.5 ppg, 4.3 apg, 3.1 rpg, 2.3 spg), 6-8 F Lazar Trifunovic (10.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg), 6-1 G Troy Hailey (9.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg), 6-6 F Duane James (7.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg)

Outlook: The Black Bears must rebound from a tough loss to defending champ Albany to cement their AE standing in the top four and maintain a one-game lead over Maryland Baltimore County. Maine is averaging 66.0 points and 35.0 rebounds per game while opponents are averaging 66.1 and 35.4, respectively. The Bearcats, who have lost five of their last six games, are averaging 66.6 points per game but giving up 69.0. They’re grabbing 32.4 rebounds while opponents are getting 35.9. Maine has won six of its last eight games, but needs a win to stay above .500 in conference play with four games left. Maine needs to re-establish its gang-rebounding approach and use its size edge over Binghamton.