Women’s Basketball
MAINE vs. NEW HAMPSHIRE
Time, site: Thursday, 7 p.m., Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Records: Maine 14-6 (6-1 America East), New Hampshire 14-5 (6-1)
Series, last meeting: Maine leads 47-32, Maine 66-62 on 3/1/14
Key players: Maine — 5-8 G Sigi Koizar (14.5 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game, 2.4 assists per game, 1.8 steals per game), 5-10 F Liz Wood (13.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.4 apg, 3.1 spg), 6-4 F Anna Heise (6.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, .505 FG pct.), 5-8 G Sophie Weckstrom (7.5 ppg), 6-2 F Mikaela Gustafsson (4.4 ppg), 5-10 G/F Chantel Charles (2.8 ppg, 1.8 apg); UNH — 5-10 G Elizabeth Belanger (16.1 ppg, 6.7 rpg), 5-7 G Ariel Gaston (11.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 3.4 apg, 1.6 spg), 6-4 F Kaylee Kilpatrick (9.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg), 6-2 C Carlie Pogue (6.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg), 5-7 G Kristen Anderson (6.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.4 apg)
Game notes: This renewal of a traditional rivalry will leave the winner in possession of second place in the AE standings. UMaine has won six straight coming off Sunday’s 56-42 win at UMBC, while UNH has posted five consecutive victories, most recently a 65-63 win at Hartford on Jan. 21. The Wildcats have had a full week to prepare for this game, having been off last weekend. Gaston, who provides senior floor leadership, has missed the last two games with an injury. UMaine continues to set the defensive tone, holding AE opponents to 50.1 ppg. However, the Bears face a Wildcats squad that rebounds well and gets to the foul line often (18.7 attempts per game), shooting 74 percent. UMaine must clog the middle, check out on the boards to prevent second-chance points and also maintain a willingness to attack the middle of the UNH defense. Another key dynamic will be turnovers, as UMaine (12.3) and UNH (12.7) are among the league’s most efficient teams. The Bears’ 10.7 steals per game also top the conference.