Men’s Basketball

MAINE vs. MARYLAND BALTIMORE COUNTY

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

Records: Maine 10-6 (4-3 America East), UMBC 6-10 (3-4)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 2-1; 1980

Key players: Maine – 6-2 G Kevin Reed (14.9 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.6 spg), 6-3 G Eric Dobson (12.7 ppg, 5.6 apg, 3.5 rpg), 6-10 F Mark Flavin (10.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.1 bpg), 6-7 G-F Joe Campbell (6.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg), 6-3 G Chris Markwood (6.5 ppg, 2.3 apg); UMBC – 6-1 G Rob Gogerty (11.4 ppg, 4.7 app, 3.0 rpg), 6-6 F John Zito (11.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg), 6-3 G Kareem Washington (10.9 ppg), 6-7 F Cory McJimson (10.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg), 6-8 F Seth Davis (5.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg)

Outlook: The University of Maryland Baltimore County is coming off a four-point win over New Hampshire and despite its overall record, is anything but a sure win. The Retrievers lost to perennial conference power Boston U. by only four points and feature plenty of scorers. The difference should be made by defense in this game as Maine is averaging 68.1 points offensively while giving up 61.8 per game. UMBC is averaging 60.9 points and yielding 63.4. The Black Bears match up favorably, size-wise, with the Retrievers so as long as they take care of the ball, rebound well, they won’t have to shoot UMBC out of the gym to win.

Women’s Basketball

MAINE vs. MARYLAND BALTIMORE COUNTY

Time, site: Saturday, 7 p.m.; Retriever Athletic Center, Baltimore, Md.

Records: Maine 10-5 (5-0 America East); UMBC 0-14 (0-5)

Series, last meeting: first-ever meeting

Key players: Maine – 6-1 F Heather Ernest (16.9 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 1.8 spg), 5-9 G Melissa Heon (11.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg, .806 FT pct., 3.2 apg); 6-1 G/F Julie Veilleux (9.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.8 apg, .459 3-pt. pct., .905 FT pct.); 6-0 F Monica Peterson (7.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg, .824 FT pct.), 5-7 G Missy Traversi (6.1 ppg), 5-7 G Kim Corbitt (4.7 ppg, 3.5 apg); UMBC – 6-0 G Anastasia Goncharova (11.0 ppg), 5-8 G Maria Brown (7.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.6 apg), 5-9 G Mariana Santos (7.1 ppg, .964 FT pct.), 5-11 F Sharri Rohde (6.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.3 apg), 5-8 G Courtney Doughman (6.0 ppg)

Outlook: The Bears seek their 22nd straight regular-season league win against AE newcomer UMBC. UMaine was sharp Wednesday in a 73-65 win over Boston U. and continues to receive varied key offensive contributions. The Retrievers, who lost five starters off last year’s team, have struggled. The Bears should be able to attack the guard-oriented Retrievers inside with Ernest, Peterson and Abby Schrader. UMaine leads the league in FT pct. (.780) and 3-point FG pct. (.367), while UMBC is averaging an AE-best 7.3 3-pointers despite putting up only 47.3 ppg. UMaine may be able to get its reserves some valuable game action.