MAINE vs. ROSSIYANKA (RUSSIA)

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

Key players: Rossiyanka – 6-1 F Julie Fedoseyeva, 6-0 F Yelena Novak, 6-4 C Olga Yourtaeva, 6-3 G Irina Medvedeva, 5-7 G Olga Biarslanova; Maine – 6-4 C Jamie Cassidy (17.6 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.5 bpg last season), 5-7 G Amy Vachon (6.5 ppg, 6.5 apg), 6-4 F Martina Tinklova (3.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg), 5-9 G Tracy Guerrette (freshman), 6-2 F Andrea Clark (1.4 ppg, 1.5 rpg)

Outlook: The Black Bears, plagued by injuries, get their first opportunity to gauge their progress with a preseason exhibition game. Rossiyanka is a tall, athletic team that likes to shoot 3-pointers. Maine’s interior defenders – Cassidy, Clark and Tinklova – are likely to be challenged by the Russians’ skilled play in the paint. Rossiyanka, which recently has beaten Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Duquesne, has allowed oly 50.3 ppg in those games. Guerrette gets the start at shooting guard for Maine as Kristen McCormick is out with an ankle sprain. Maine beat Rossiyanka 88-81 last November. Fedoseyeva tallied 23 points for the Russians.