Women’s Basketball
MAINE vs. No. 6 NORTH CAROLINA
Time, site: Friday, 7 p.m., Myrtle Beach Convention Center, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Records: Maine 7-3, North Carolina 9-1
Series, last meeting: UNC leads 2-0, UNC 62-57 on 3/18/00
Key players: Maine — 5-8 G Sigi Koizar (15.8 points per game, 3.8 rebounds per game, 2.7 assists per game, 2.2 steals per game), 5-10 F Liz Wood (14.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 3.2 apg, 2.8 spg), 5-8 G Sophie Weckstrom (7.8 ppg, 1.5 apg), 6-3 F Anna Heise (6.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg), 6-2 F Mikaela Gustafsson (3.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg), 5-11 F Bella Swan (2.1 ppg 2.9 rpg); UNC — 6-0 G Allisha Gray (17.7 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.9 spg), 6-3 F Stephanie Mavunga (12.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 3.2 blocks per game), 6-2 F Xylina McDaniel (11.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg), 5-8 G Jamie Cherry (7.1 ppg, 2.0 apg), 5-9 G Latifah Coleman (6.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.5 apg).
Game notes: The Black Bears’ six-game winning streak, the program’s longest since the 2004-2005 season, is in serious jeopardy in this one. The Tar Heels were on a roll prior to Tuesday’s 70-55 setback against No. 16 Oregon State. UMaine is coming off Saturday’s 60-51 home win over Northeastern. Coach Richard Barron’s Bears will be challenged to maintain their recent defensive success, having not allowed more than 60 points in regulation since their Nov. 14 opener against Bryant. North Carolina is averaging 78.2 ppg and owns wins against the likes of ranked opponents Stanford, UCLA and Oklahoma State. UMaine must take care of the ball as the Tar Heels average 11 steals while forcing opponents into 20 turnovers per contest. The Bears hope to be extremely patient and efficient at the offensive end in the hope of slowing down a UNC ballclub that would like to get into transition often. Rebounding will be another key component against the taller, more athletic Tar Heels. UMaine is a bit thin at guard, where Courtney Anderson (knee) is out and Lauren Bodine (hamstring) is questionable.