MAINE vs. HARTFORD

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

Records: Maine 6-12 (2-5 America East), Hartford 15-2 (7-0)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 37-8, Maine 56-51 on 2/19/05

Key players: Maine – 6-1 G/F Bracey Barker (13.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.2 spg, .792 FT pct.), 5-8 G Ashley Underwood (12.2 ppg, 2.3 apg, .360 3-pt. pct.), 6-3 C Abby Schrader (11.2 ppg, 9.3 rpg), 5-6 G Margaret Elderton (4.6 ppg, 2.4 apg), 6-2 F Lindsey Hugstad-Vaa (3.6 ppg, 2.0 rpg); Hartford – 6-1 F/C Danielle Hood (14.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg), 6-0 F Erica Beverly (10.7 ppg, 9.2 rpg, .548 FG pct.), 5-8 G Erika Messam (9.9 ppg, 3.6 apg), 5-8 G Ikea Witt (9.5 ppg, .830 FT pct.), Marylynne Schaefer (7.6 ppg, .370 3-pt. pct.)

Outlook: The banged-up Bears return home to face the league-leading Hawks, who have won nine straight and are ranked 32nd in the rating percentage index compiled by CollegeRPI.com. Maine’s guards will be tested by a tenacious Hartford squad that has allowed only 55.1 ppg in league games. Schrader not only will receive a lot of defensive attention, she’ll have to contend with rookie of the year frontrunner Beverly. Hartford, the defending AE champ, features tremendous offensive balance and tough defense from its quick guards. Maine must handle and pass the ball cleanly, shoot well, rebound hard and play hard-nosed defense against the Hawks, who are averaging 70 ppg on a league-best 41 percent shooting and commit only 12.7 turnovers per game.