UMaine capsules

Men’s basketball

MAINE vs. VERMONT

Time, site: Sunday, 1 p.m.; Patrick Gym, Burlington, Vt.

Records: Maine 7-21 (3-12 America East); Vermont 14-14 (8-7)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 68-47, Vermont 75-58 on 1/16/08

Key players: Maine – 6-5 G Mark Socoby (14.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.3 apg), 6-4 G Kaimondre Owes (12.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.4 apg), 6-5 G Junior Bernal (11.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.2 apg), 6-9 C Brian Andre (10.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg), 6-6 F Philippe Tchekane Bofia (6.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg), 6-7 F Sean McNally (5.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg), 6-10 F-C Jordan Cook (3.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg); Vermont – 6-5 F Marqus Blakely (19.6 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 2.3 apg), 6-1 G Mike Trimboli (17.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 4.6 apg), 6-8 F Colin McIntosh (6.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg), 6-6 F Tim McCrory (5.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg), 6-1 G Nick Vier (4.8 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 2.9 apg)

Outlook: The Black Bears will look to break a five-game losing streak, end the regular season on an up note, and use a win as a springboard into the AE tourney. Maine has done a better job taking care of the ball of late, but is still averaging 18.7 turnovers a game (Vermont is averaging 15.1). The Catamounts are in a bit of a rut themselves, having lost four of their last six. The Catamounts offer a defensive challenge to Maine as they are averaging 72.2 ppg, but are giving up an average of 70.9. Maine is scoring points at a 63.9 clip while giving up 71.2. Both teams are averaging about 36 rebounds per game, so the boards and turnovers will likely determine who heads into postseason on a winning note.

Women’s basketball

MAINE vs. HARTFORD

Time, site: Saturday, 2 p.m.; Chase Arena, West Hartford, Conn.

Records: Maine 7-20 (4-10 America East), Hartford 21-5 (11-2)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 37-14, Hartford 56-38 on 1/19/08

Key players: Maine – 6-0 F Colleen Kilmurray (9.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg), 6-0 F Brittany Boser (9.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg, .500 FG pct.), 5-9 G/F Amanda Tewksbury (9.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg), 5-6 G Kris Younan (5.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.0 apg, 2.1 spg), 6-4 F/C Christina Mosher (4.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg); Hartford – 6-1 F/C Danielle Hood (15.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg), 6-2 F/C Diana Delva (9.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.0 bpg, .607 FG pct.), 6-0 F Erica Beverly (8.6 ppg, 7.4 rpg), 5-10 G MaryLynne Schaefer (7.2 ppg), 5-6 G Lisa Etienne (6.0 ppg, 3.2 apg)

Outlook: The Black Bears will get a preview of the AE tournament site in their game against the Hawks. Despite dropping three in a row, including Wednesday’s 74-52 loss to Vermont, UMaine holds onto seventh place in the league standings with two regular-season games remaining. The Bears are thin at guard with freshmen Tanna Ross and Emily Rousseau sidelined by knee injuries. Their challenge today is contending with Hartford’s talented, versatile frontcourt trio. The Hawks have won 11 of their last 12, including Wednesday’s 57-43 victory at Albany. UMaine must be crisp and efficient on offense against a Hartford squad that has allowed a league-low 52.4 ppg on 37 percent shooting in conference play. The Bears also must take advantage of transition chances to avoid working against the Hawks’ gritty man-to-man defense in the half-court.

Women’s Hockey

MAINE WOMEN vs. VERMONT

Time, site: Saturday, Sunday, 2 p.m., Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 4-25-3 (3-13-3 Hockey East); Vermont 6-25-1 (2-16-1)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 11-0-3, 0-0 tie on Nov. 24, 2007

Key players: Maine – C Vanessa Vani (5 goals, 15 assists), C Taryn Peacock (6 & 10), LW Jennie Gallo (7 & 7), C Pam Patterson (3 & 6), RW Robyn Law (3 & 6), D Kim Meagher (1 & 3), D Elyce Thomas (4 & 0), D RW Robyn Law (3 & 6), G Genevieve Turgeon (4-17-3, 3.65 goals-against average, .908 save percentage); Vermont – C Celest Doucet (5 & 7), RW Teddy Fortin (5 & 7), C Molly Morrison (6 & 3), LW Kate Lesniak (5 & 4), D Saleah Morrison (2 & 5), G Kristen Olychuck (6-20-1, 2.83, .904)

Outlook: It will be Seniors Day Sunday with Meagher, Patterson and defenseman Jenna Cowan playing their final games. Maine is looking to finish up strong and begin building for next season. The Black Bears have won two of their last five with two of the three losses being by a goal. Vermont is 0-15 on the road this season and has lost seven of its last eight. The Catamounts are a young team with three of their top scorers, Doucet, Fortin and Molly Morrison, being freshmen. Vermont has been shut out in six of its last eight games. Turgeon and Olychuck have had solid seasons between the pipes. Turgeon made 23 saves and Olychuck had 21 in their 0-0 overtime tie in November. Both teams struggle to score goals so the games should be close and low-scoring. The team which capitalizes on its chances the best will come out on top.