WOMEN’S NATIONAL INVITATION TOURNAMENT

First Round

MAINE vs. CREIGHTON

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

Records: Maine 25-5; Creighton 21-8

Series, last meeting: 1st meeting

Key players: Maine – 6-1 F Heather Ernest (19.8 ppg, 10.0 rpg, .814 FT pct., .540 FG pct.), 5-9 G Melissa Heon (11.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.9 apg, 2.1 spg), 5-7 G Kim Corbitt (6.3 ppg, 4.5 apg), 6-1 G/F Julie Veilleux (8.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg), 5-11 F Monica Peterson (6.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg), 5-7 Missy Traversi (6.5 ppg, .365 3-pt. pct.); Creighton – 5-10 G Christy Neneman (16.7 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 3.3 apg), 5-9 G Laura Spanheimer (12.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.9 spg, .458 3-pt. pct.), 5-6 G Dayna Finch (9.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg), 6-0 F Teresa Wessling (6.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg, .452 FG pct.), 5-10 G Codi Walker (7.6 ppg)

Outlook: The Bears have a new life and hope to take advantage of it. UMaine encounters a Creighton team that presents some matchup and style problems. One big keys for the Bears is negotiating the Bluejays’ full-court pressure and then effectively pounding the ball inside to Ernest and Peterson. UMaine must minimize turnovers to keep Creighton from turning steals into transition baskets. Rebounding is another area in which the Bears should have a decided edge, but focus and intensity rather than any height advantage holds the key in that department. Defensively, UMaine’s guards must contain the most prolific and balanced 3-point shooting attack it has faced all season. And the Bears’ post players must be able to defend well away from the basket.