Marcal Invitational Tournament

MAINE vs. ALABAMA-BIRMINGHAM

Time, site: 6 p.m., Saturday, Yanitelli Center, Jersey City, N.J.

Team records: Maine 4-5; UAB 5-2

Series: First meeting.

Key players: Maine – C Rachel Bouchard (23.1 ppg, 11.9 rpg), F Heather Briggs (10.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg); F Tracey Frenette (10.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg); G Julie Bradstreet (6.8 ppg, 5.7 rpg); G Carrie Goodhue (8.7 ppg); Alabama-Birmingham – F Jacque Nero (18.4 ppg, 9.0 rpg), G Gina Sutko (13.0 ppg), F Jean Wiser (10.0 ppg, 5.9 rpg), G Shyronda Mifflin (6.9 ppg), F Bev Williams (5.7 apg)

Outlook: Once again the Lady Black Bears go up against a team with some national respectability. The Lady Blazers went 19-11 last season and tied for first in the Sun Belt conference with UNC-Charlotte and Old Dominion. Old Dominion went to the NCAAs, UNCC went to the NIT and UAB stayed home. Four starters return from that team looking for a little more respect. Maine, meanwhile, is coming off a two-week layoff. More production is needed from Frenette (4.6 ppg over last three games) and the Maine bench.

ST. PETERS vs. UNC-WILMINGTON

Time, site: 8 p.m., Saturday, Yanitelli Center, Jersey City, N.J.

Team records: St. Peters 3-3; UNC-Wilmington 2-5.

Key players: St. Peters – G Joanne Balsamo (14.8 ppg), F Nadine Davis (10.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg), G LaTatus Ward (6.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.7 apg), F Stacia Hines (4.5 ppg); UNC-Wilmington – F Tressa Reese (19.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg), G Lorraine Cordaway (12.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg), G Cindy Makowski (8.7 ppg), C Denise Balley (6.3 ppg), F Jennifer Bennett (6.0 ppg)

Outlook: The St. Peters Peahens are at .500 with two wins in a row, one over NAC member Hartford (63-46). Coach Mike Granelli’s squad went 22-6 last season but three starters were lost from that team. The ‘Hens have little height, one six-footer, but good balance. UNC-Wilmington, meanwhile, looks like the proverbial first-round, host-school opponent. After going 10-16 a year ago, the Lady Seahawks have stumbled to a 2-5 start with the wins coming over College of Charleston and Charleston College.

The tourney schedule: Sunday, 6 p.m., losers will play in consolation game; Sunday, 8 p.m., winners will play in championship game.