Maine vs. NC-Charlotte

Sheraton Capstone Inn Classic

Time, site: Friday, 8 p.m.; Coleman Coliseum, Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Records: Maine 1-1; UNC-Charlotte 0-0

Series: UNC-Charlotte leads 1-0

Key players: Maine – 5-9 G Cindy Blodgett (19.5 ppg, 5.5 apg, 2.5 spg), 6-4 C Stacey Porrini (16.5 ppg, 12.5 rpg), 5-11 F Catherine Gallant (10 ppg, 5.5 rpg), 5-9 G/F Trisha Ripton (7.5 ppg, 3.5 apg), 5-7 G Stacia Rustad (5.5 ppg), 6-1 F Andrea Clark (1 ppg, 3.5 rpg); UNC-Charlotte – 5-10 F Markita Aldridge (15.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 3.7 apg last season), 5-8 G Lisa Gerton (15.4 ppg), 6-3 C Charlette Hargrove (10.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg), 5-6 G Ashley Poston (4.2 ppg), 6-0 F Drewana Bey (2.2 ppg).

Outlook: The Black Bears forge into their tough regular-season schedule against the 49ers. Maine is coming off a 93-64 loss to Ohio State in the Preseason Women’s National Invitation Tournament, while UNC-Charlotte is playing its first game of 1995-96. The 49ers have left the Metro Conference to join Conference USA, which is made up of 12 teams from 12 states, including six that went to last year’s NCAA Tournament. Thus far, Maine has been led by the outside-inside duo of Blodgett and Porrini. Gallant also has been tough in the paint. The Bears forge ahead without senior forward Steph Guidi, who has missed the last three weeks with a severe right ankle sprain.