MAINE vs. DELAWARE

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

Records: Maine 18-4 (12-0 NAC); Delaware 8-12 (6-6)

Series: Maine leads 8-1

Key players: Maine – 5-9 G Cindy Blodgett (27.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 4.3 apg, 2.6 spg), 6-4 C Stacey Porrini (12.4, 10.0 rpg, 2.1 bpg), 5-11 F Catherine Gallant (7.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg), 5-9 G/F Trisha Ripton (7.5 ppg, 3.6 apg), 6-0 F Steph Guidi (7.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg); Delaware – 5-7 G Keisha McFadgion (12.2 ppg), 5-9 G Denise Wojciech (11.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg), 5-10 F Jackie Porac (10.6 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 2.1 spg), 5-11 F Shanda Piggott (10.4 ppg, 8.3 rpg), 5-9 G Cami Ruck (8.4 ppg, 3.7 apg).

Outlook: The Black Bears return home, where they’ll play four of their last six regular-season games, to face the Blue Hens. Maine has won 10 straight, including a 78-61 victory Jan. 2 at Delaware. While the Bears have secured a home-court playoff spot, Delaware is chasing New Hampshire for the No. 4 spot. Blodgett and Porrini have been a potent inside-outside pair of late. Blodgett leads the nation in scoring and ranks in the top three in five NAC statistical categories. Porrini, the NAC Player of the Week, has picked up the defensive intensity of late. The Hens, winners of two in a row, have a good 3-point threat in McFadgion and a solid inside presence in Piggott. Teams have shot 45 percent from the field against Delaware, which is shooting only 61 percent from the foul line.