UMaine capsules

Men’s basketball

MAINE vs. MARYLAND BALTIMORE COUNTY

Time, site: Saturday, 7 p.m., Retriever Activities Center, Baltimore

Records: Maine 4-10 (0-1 America East), UMBC 11-5 (3-0)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 6-4, UMBC 70-61 on 3/3/07

Key players: Maine – 6-5 G Mark Socoby (13.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.4 apg), 6-5 G Junior Bernal (12.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.3 apg), 6-9 Brian Andre (10.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg), 6-4 G Kaimondre Owes (9.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.0 apg), 6-6 F Philippe Tchekane Bofia (5.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg), 6-10 F-C Jordan Cook (5.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg); UMBC – 6-3 G Brian Hodges (18.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.0 apg), 6-4 F Darryl Proctor (16.3 ppg, 12.3 rpg, 2.0 apg), 6-8 F Cavell Johnson (13.7 ppg, 8.7 rpg), 6-2 G Ray Barbosa (10.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg), 5-8 G Jay Greene (9.0 ppg, 6.0 apg), 6-5 G-F Matt Spadafora (7.3 ppg, 1.3 apg)

Outlook: The Retrievers have gone from America East doormat to penthouse program in four seasons. Riding a three-game win streak, UMBC is for real with three victories over Atlantic-10 teams and nine-point losses to Ohio State and Wichita State. UMBC is averaging 77.4 points and 36.4 rebounds per game while Maine is at 63.6 and 38.4, respectively. The Black Bears must limit turnovers – a big problem much of the season with 19.6 per game – especially against UMBC, which is only averaging 10.4 a game. They also have to attack the boards hard to have a chance at ending their losing streak at six games.

Women’s basketball

MAINE vs. ALBANY

Time, site: Sunday, 2 p.m.; SEFCU Center, Albany, N.Y.

Records: Maine 4-10 (1-0 America East), Albany 3-11 (1-0)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 14-0, Maine 71-63 on 2/11/07

Key players: Maine – 6-0 F Brittany Boser (10.2 ppg, 5.3 rpg, .533 FG pct.), 5-11 G Tanna Ross (9.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg, .370 3-pt. FG pct.), 6-0 F Colleen Kilmurray (8.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg), 5-8 G Emily Rousseau (8.9 ppg, .407 3-pt. FG pct.), 5-6 G Kris Younan (5.6 ppg, 4.3 apg, 2.4 spg); Albany – 6-1 F Kristin Higy (11.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.9 spg), 5-8 G Britney McGee (11.1 ppg, 1.8 apg), 5-6 G Tanika Thrower (7.9 ppg, 1.6 spg), 5-9 G Janea Aiken (7.0 ppg), 6-0 G/F Gia Sanders (6.8 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.9 spg, 1.3 bpg)

Outlook: The Black Bears head on the road for the ninth time in 10 games. UMaine, which has won three of its last five, looks to build off its Jan. 6 victory over UMBC. Kilmurray and Younan were the catalysts in that one. The Bears face a scrappy Albany ballclub that tries to take advantage of its quickness to implement defensive pressure, get steals, score in transition and attack the basket off the dribble. Albany, which has won two straight, has lost by an average of only 6.8 points with four losses coming by two points or fewer. UMaine will have to take good care of the ball against the Great Danes, can cause havoc defensively. Defensive keys for the Bears include getting back quickly in transition and limiting penetration with their improving 1-2-2 matchup zone.