Women’s basketball

Dead River Co. Classic

MAINE vs. HARVARD

Time, site: Friday, 7 p.m.; Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 1-2, Harvard 1-2

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 6-1, Maine 59-55 on 12/16/99

Key players: Maine – 5-11 G/F Tanna Ross (10.7 ppg,4.3 rpg, 4.0 apg), 6-0 F Brittany Boser (10.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, .650 FG pct.), 5-5 G Kristin Baker (9.3 ppg, 4.3 apg), 6-0 F Colleen Kilmurray (9.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg), 5-6 G Kris Younan (7.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.3 apg), 5-8 G Emily Rousseau (3.7 ppg); Harvard – 5-11 G Niki Finelli (10.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg), 5-9 G Lindsay Hallion (10.0 ppg, 4.0 apg), 6-7 F Emma Moretzsohn (9.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg), 6-1 F Katie Rollins (9.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg), 5-8 G Emily Tay (7.3 ppg, 4.3 apg)

Outlook: The Black Bears play the third of four straight home games as they entertain the Crimson in a first-round matchup of the 15th annual Dead River event. UMaine, coming off Sunday’s 79-50 loss to Holy Cross, continues searching for on-court chemistry and consistency with its developing group of young players. Harvard, the defending Ivy League champion, comes in having dropped a 64-49 decision Tuesday at Fairfield. The Crimson feature good frontcourt height but that hasn’t produced good rebounding numbers yet. The Bears have rebounded decently, but continue to be plagued by turnovers. UMaine is averaging 25.7 miscues per game. Several Bears will face their former coach as Ann McInerney is an assistant on the Harvard staff.