MAINE vs. NORTHEASTERN

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

Records: Maine 1-3; Northeastern 3-4

Series/last meeting: Maine leads 24-16; NU won 57-55 in America East championship game on 3/6/99

Key players: Maine – 6-4 C Jamie Cassidy (19.0 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 1.8 bpg), 5-7 G Amy Vachon (15.0 ppg, 6.5 apg, 2.5 spg), 5-10 G/F Kristen McCormick (7.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg), 5-10 G Lacey Stone (7.8 ppg), 6-0 F Katie Clark (3.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg), 6-1 F Anna James (4.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg); Northeastern – 5-6 G Tesha Tinsley (14.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 5.7 apg, 2.6 spg), 6-3 C Lani Lawrence (13.9 ppg, 8.7 rpg), 6-0 F Garrette Glinton (10.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg), 5-10 F Wanda Almengot (10.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg), 6-0 F Beth Hanewald (5.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.6 apg).

Outlook: The Bears shouldn’t need much motivation in this one. Not only has UMaine lost three of four, but Northeastern beat UM twice last season, becoming the first league team to do so since 1992-93. The Huskies make their first trip to Orono since the ’98 AE tourney as they played in Portland last season. The Bears must establish Cassidy inside offensively while contending with Lawrence and rookie standout Glinton on the defensive end. Holding Tinsley in check is another key.