LADY LUCK CLASSIC

MAINE vs. MARSHALL

Time, site: Thursday, 5:30 p.m.; Cassell Coliseum, Blacksburg, Va.

Records: Maine 3-6; Marshall 4-4

Series, last meeting: First meeting

Key players: Maine – 6-1 F Julie Veilleux (9.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.5 spg), 5-11 G/F Kizzy Lopez 8.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg), 6-0 F Anna James (4.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg), 5-9 G Tracy Guerrette (3.2 ppg, 3.2 apg), 5-9 G Melissa Heon (3.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg), 6-3 C Eva Moldre (1.4 ppg, 2.0 rpg); Marshall – 6-3 C Amy Reed (12.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg), 6-0 F Yashico Stevens (10.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg), 5-11 F Au’Yana Ferguson (9.2 ppg, 9.5 rpg), 5-3 G Melissa Arnold (8.8 ppg, 4.5 apg, 2.4 spg), 5-9 G/F Toni Patillo (6.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 3.3 apg)

Outlook: The Bears, who haven’t played for 10 days, hope to regroup against the Thundering Herd. The departure of sophomore center Christy Grover for undisclosed medical reasons and the absence of sophomore point guard Ellen Geraghty (stress fracture in left foot) have complicated UMaine’s task. The Bears, who have nine healthy players for tonight’s game, must get a big game out of Moldre. Marshall, of the Mid American Conference, has won two straight and three of four. The Herd is a strong rebounding club with a solid nucleus of veterans but includes eight freshmen and one sophomore. UMaine, which has lost two in a row and six of its last seven, must cut down on turnovers and play outstanding defense. The Bears play either Virginia Tech or North Carolina-Charlotte in Friday’s second-round game.