MAINE vs. HOFSTRA

Time, site: Tuesday, 7 p.m.; Mack Sports Complex, Hempstead, N.Y.

Records: Maine 2-5; Hofstra 3-3

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 17-0, Maine 64-58 on 2/16/01

Key players: Maine – 6-2 C Samantha Baranowski (11.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg, .509 FG pct.), 5-11 G/F Tanna Ross (8.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg), 6-0 F Brittany Boser (7.4 ppg, .528 FG pct.), 6-0 F Samantha Wheeler (6.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg), 5-6 G Kristin Baker (5.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 4.4 apg), 5-9 G Amanda Tewksbury (4.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.0 apg, 2.1 spg); Hofstra – 6-3 C Joelle Connelly (11.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 3.3 bpg, .692 FG pct.), 6-4 C Jess Fuller (11.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg, .630 FG pct.), 5-9 G Nicole Capurso (10.0 ppg) 5-6 G Candice Bellocchio (9.3 ppg, 3.2 apg), 5-8 G Natty Fripp (7.3 ppg, 2.0 spg)

Outlook: The Black Bears hope to get back on track against the Pride, a former conference opponent. UMaine struggled offensively in Sunday’s 55-40 loss at Delaware and encounters a Hofstra squad that is averaging 67.2 ppg on 46 percent floor shooting. Both of these teams have been turnover-prone. The Bears are likely to be challenged inside as Hofstra post players Connelly, a three-time Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Week, and Fuller have combined to average 22.5 ppg on 66 percent shooting. UMaine will try to bottle up the paint with its matchup zone defense and put pressure on the Pride’s outside shooters. Hofstra has won two straight, including an 80-73 overtime win at Buffalo.