Women’s basketball

MAINE vs. CENTRAL CONNECTICUT

Time, site: Thursday, 7 p.m.; Detrick Gymnasium, New Britain, Conn.

Records: Maine 0-1; Central Connecticut State 0-2

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 8-0, Maine 60-59 on 1/11/94

Key players: Maine – 6-3 C Samantha Baranwoski (9.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg), 5-9 G Amanda Tewksbury (7.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg), 5-9 G Jasmine Rush (7.0 ppg, 1.5 apg), 5-11 G/F Tanna Ross (4.0 ppg), 6-0 F Brittany Boser (2.0 ppg), 5-6 G Kristin Baker (0.0 ppg); Central Connecticut – 5-10 F Kerrianne Dugan (13.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg), 5-10 G P.J. Wade (10.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, .917 FT pct.), 5-10 F Gabrielle Oglesby (10.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.5 spg), 6-1 F Justina Udenze (5.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg), 5-7 G Jhanay Harris (4.0 ppg, 1.5 apg)

Outlook: The Black Bears hope to put a lopsided loss to No. 8 Duke behind them against the Blue Devils. UMaine had little to build off after being overmatched by Duke. However, CCSU of the Northeast Conference should be a much better matchup. CCSU struggled to a 4-25 record last season and is playing for a first-year coach in Beryl Piper. The Blue Devils feature six veterans and six newcomers. They opened with two losses at the South Florida tournament, 100-41 to the host Bulls and 70-63 decision to perennial Ivy League contender Harvard. CCSU averaged 25 turnovers. Coach Cindy Blodgett’s Bears will try to set the tone with intensity on defense and on the boards. Crisp ball movement and good decision-making are among the keys on the offensive end.