Women’s Basketball
MAINE vs. NORTH CAROLINA
Time, site: Thursday, 1 p.m., Carmichael Arena, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Records: Maine 9-5, North Carolina 9-5
Series, last meeting: North Carolina leads 3-0, UNC 65-36 on 12/19/14
Key players: Maine — 5-8 G Sigi Koizar (17.0 points per game, 3.4 rebounds per game, 3.8 assists per game, .506 FG pct.), 5-10 G/F Liz Wood (9.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 2.8 apg, 2.8 spg), 6-2 F Mikaela Gustafsson (8.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg), 5-8 G Sophie Weckstrom (7.4 ppg), 5-10 G Chantel Charles (5.6 ppg), 5-11 F Bella Swan (6.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg); UNC — 5-8 G Jamie Cherry (15.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.9 apg), 5-10 G Destinee Walker (15.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.9 apg), 5-11 G Stephanie Watts (12.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg), 6-2 F Hillary Summers (9.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg), 6-2 F Xylina McDaniel (9.0 ppg, 6.9 rpg)
Game notes: The Black Bears, several of whom faced delays in reaching North Carolina on Tuesday, step up to face an Atlantic Coast Conference foe in the Tar Heels. It is the final nonleague game for UMaine, which opens its America East slate on Jan. 6 at Vermont. The Bears haven’t played since a 56-33 loss at Purdue on Dec. 21. UNC has won three straight, including Tuesday’s 65-60 victory over UMaine rival New Hampshire. The Bears likely will try to control the tempo with methodical offense in an attempt to slow a UNC offense averaging 70.4 ppg. However, UMaine must avoid turnovers and be quick to get back on defense to prevent the Tar Heels, who are already playing their 12th home game, from getting easy baskets in transition. The Bears also will have to be physical underneath, without fouling, and hold their own in the rebounding action.