Women’s Basketball
MAINE vs. CENTRAL CONNECTICUT
Time, site: Wednesday, noon; Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Records: Maine 2-2, Central Connecticut 1-3
Series, last meeting: Maine leads 13-5, UMaine 72-58 on 12/3/14
Key players: Maine — 5-8 G Sigi Koizar (15.8 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game, 6.0 assists per game, 2.5 steals per game), 5-8 G Sophie Weckstrom (10.3 ppg, 2.6 apg), 6-2 F Mikaela Gustafsson (9.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg), 5-10 F Liz Wood (9.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 4.0 apg, 3.3 spg), 5-10 G Chantel Charles (7.0 ppg), 5-11 F Bella Swan (6.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg); CCSU — 5-4 G Aleah Epps (10.5 ppg, 2.3 apg), 5-7 G Camden Musgrave (9.5 ppg), 5-9 G Kayla Miller (8.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 3.3 spg), 5-9 G TeJahne Malone (7.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg), 5-6 G Kiana Patterson (6.8 ppg)
Game notes: The Black Bears, who just returned from a trip to Minnesota and North Dakota, make their regular-season home debut against the Blue Devils. The game kicks off a doubleheader with the men’s team. UMaine, which beat North Dakota State 82-51 on Sunday, begins a stretch of five games in seven days, including three contests Nov. 27-29 at the Gulf Coast Showcase in Florida. UMaine looks for a strong defensive effort against a guard-oriented CCSU squad that has averaged only 56.5 ppg. Koizar has been the catalyst, but the Bears have exhibited good balance. The Blue Devils may present some quickness matchup issues, but UMaine should have the edge in the paint with Wood, Gustafsson and Swan.
Men’s Basketball
MAINE vs. LONGWOOD
Time, site: Wednesday, 2:15 p.m.; Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
Records: Maine 0-3, Longwood 2-3
Series, last meeting: 1st meeting
Key players: Maine — 6-6 F Issac Vann (16.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg), 6-0 G Kevin Little (10.3 ppg, 2.7 apg), 6-7 F Devine Eke (9.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.7 spg), 6-8 F Till Gloger (8.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg), 5-11 G Aaron Calixte (8.0 ppg), 6-6 G/F Garet Beal (5.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg); Longwood — 6-3 G Kanayo Obi-Rapu (17.8 ppg,, 2.0 apg), 6-8 F/C Lotanna Nwogbo (15.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg. 1.2 blocks per game), 6-6 F Khris Lane (12.0 ppg, 8.8 rpg), 5-11 G Leron Fisher (11.5 ppg, 5.0 apg), 6-2 G Darrion Allen (10.5 ppg, 3.8 apg, 1.8 spg)
Game notes: The Black Bears are out to snap a nine-game losing streak dating back to last season as they make their regular-season home debut. UMaine has struggled to establish consistency and the ability to fight through tough stretches, according to coach Bob Walsh. Freshmen Vann and Eke have demonstrated the ability to make significant contributions already for UMaine, which is coming off Saturday’s 87-73 loss at Wagner. The Lancers, who play in the Big South Conference, have been prolific on offense, averaging 79.8 ppg behind a quintet of players averaging double figures. UMaine must contest Obi-Rapu and a good group of perimeter shooters while trying to match up with the 255-pound Nwogbo in the paint. Longwood was outgunned 110-97 by Eastern Kentucky on Sunday.