MAINE vs. RHODE ISLAND

Time, site: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 2-1; Rhode Island 1-3

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 11-10, Maine 65-58 on 12/14/02

Key players: Maine – 6-2 F Katie Whittier (13.0 ppg, 11.3 rpg, .593 FG pct.), 6-3 C Abby Schrader (13.0 ppg, 8.7 rpg, .917 FT pct.), 6-1 G/F Bracey Barker (12.0 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.3 apg), 5-7 G Ashley Underwood (13.0 ppg, 2.7 apg, .450 3-pt. FG pct.), 5-6 G Margaret Elderton (5.3 ppg, 3.7 apg); Rhode Island – 5-9 F Tanya Rhodes (19.0 ppg, 13.0 rpg, 3.5 spg), 5-6 G Safi Mojidi (11.0 ppg), 6-0 F Jessica Magley (9.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg), 5-8 G Mia Marcus (5.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg), 6-3 C Whitney Hollis (5.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg)

Outlook: The Bears, coming off Saturday’s 70-63 loss to Dartmouth, hope to rebound against the Rams. URI, a member of the Atlantic 10, lost Saturday to Villanova. Maine will try to establish its inside attack, which has been potent thus far. But the Bears and their young guards should expect to face full-court pressure and Maine likely will encounter some zone looks in the half-court. URI, which is playing its first road game, has struggled offensively, averaging only 53 ppg on 38 percent shooting. The Bears must control the rebounding action, limit their turnovers and play strong defense in their last home game until Jan. 4.