Men’s Basketball
MAINE vs. MARYLAND BALTIMORE COUNTY
Time, site: noon Saturday, Portland Expo, Portland
Records: Maine 8-14 (4-5 America East), UMBC 5-19 (1-8)
Series, last meeting: UMBC leads 14-13, UMBC 89-76 on 1/9/16
Key players: Maine — 5-10 G Kevin Little (14.3 points per game, 2.7 assists per game, 1.3 steals per game), 6-7 F Issac Vann (14.2 ppg, 5.8 rebounds per game), 6-7 F Devine Eke (10.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 1.6 blocks per game, .656 FG pct.), 5-11 G Aaron Calixte (9.5 ppg, 2.6 apg), 6-7 F Till Gloger (9.1 ppg), 6-5 G Shaun Lawton (7.8 ppg, 2.1 apg, 1.9 spg); UMBC — 6-2 G Jairus Lyles (24.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 3.4 apg, 2.6 spg), 6-0 G Rodney Elliott (13.7 ppg, 3.5 apg), 6-6 F Joe Sherburne (11.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg), 6-8 F Will Darley (10.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.9 apg), 6-8 F Cody Joyce (8.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg)
Game notes: The Black Bears hope to show off their high-scoring style to the fans of Portland in taking on the Retrievers. Tickets to the game are only $5. UMaine struggled late and lost 85-68 at Vermont on Wednesday. Last-place UMBC has dropped seven straight dating back to the win over the Bears, who hold down fifth place. UMaine is the top scoring team in AE play at 79.6 ppg, despite giving up 85.2 ppg. UMBC (81.8 ppg) also has been forgiving on defense. Lyles is a handful to guard and the Retrievers have some good size inside as well.
Women’s Basketball
MAINE vs. MARYLAND BALTIMORE COUNTY
Time, site: 1 p.m. Saturday, RAC Arena, Baltimore, Maryland
Records: Maine 17-7 (8-1 America East), UMBC 13-9 (4-5)
Series, last meeting: Maine leads 14-11, Maine 65-55 on 1/6/16
Key players: Maine — 5-8 G Sigi Koizar (16.7 points per game, 3.9 rebounds per game, 3.9 assists per game, 1.6 steals per game, .410 3-pt. FG pct.), 5-10 G/F Liz Wood (10.2 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 2.9 apg, 2.8 spg), 6-2 F Mikaela Gustafsson (8.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.1 apg), 5-11 F Bella Swan (7.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg), 5-8 G Sophie Weckstrom (6.4 ppg), 5-8 G Lauren Bodine (4.8 ppg); UMBC — 5-10 G Taylor McCarley (13.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 5.5 apg, 2.8 spg), 6-1 F Pandora Wilson (13.2 ppg, 7.0 rpg), 5-7 G Capree Garner (10.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.7 spg), 5-8 G Laura Castaldo (8.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg), 6-2 F Amanda Hagaman (3.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg)
Game notes: The Black Bears seek their sixth straight win. UMaine, coming off Wednesday’s 63-51 win over Vermont, is trying to remain on the heels of AE leader Albany, which is unbeaten in league play. The Retrievers lost 63-39 Wednesday at Albany. The Bears are allowing only 48.9 ppg in AE play and lead the way in FT pct. (.807) and fewest turnovers (11.2 per game). UMBC, which is in sixth place, has struggled with 3-point shooting (29 percent) and rebounding. UMaine must control the penetration and transition play of McCarley and Garner while bottling up Wilson in the post.