ORONO, Maine -- The University of Maine women's basketball team (9-9, 2-1 America East) looks for its third-straight win, and sixth-straight over Stony Brook (7-8, 0-2 AE), when it meets the Seawolves on Saturday afternoon at the Island Federal Credit Union Arena live on ESPN3. It looks to be a defensive battle with Maine (58.4) and Stony Brook (58.8) ranking second and third in the league, respectively, in points allowed.

A LOOK AT THE BLACK BEARS:
Maine began league play with a tough 55-52 loss at Vermont but rebounded to win its next two, defeating UMBC at home before picking up a road win at UMass Lowell. Maine's average margin of victory in its last two performances was 26.5 as it held each below 45 points. Defensively, Maine entered the weekend giving up just 58.4 points per game, 55th best in the country and second to New Hampshire in the America East.

Sigi Koizar, who missed Maine's first three conference games, was averaging 14.0 points per game before suffering an injury at Boston College. Since her injury, Maine has seen several newcomers step up including Julie Brosseau. Coming into weekend play, Brosseau notched double-digit scoring efforts in each of her last six games, including a career-high 15 points at Vermont. In that span, Brosseau knocked down 19 shots from beyond the arc and is tied for fourth best in the league from long-range at 40.0%. Laia Sole is second on the Black Bears at 9.7 points and recorded her second, 20+ scoring performance of the year when she dropped 20 at UMass Lowell. Sole has been highly efficient from the floor, shooting 45.6%. Blanca Millan, who was awarded the America East Rookie of the Week on Jan. 9, is adding 7.6 points. Millan has been strong on both ends of the court as defensively she ranks eighth in the league at 1.8 steals per game. Tanesha Sutton has been Maine's Swiss Army Knife, doing a little bit of everything for the Black Bears. Sutton, averaging 6.9 points per game, leads Maine in rebounding (5.1) and assists (2.6) and leads the team with a 47.2% mark from the floor. Sutton, who ranks 10th in the league in assists, has been strong on the offensive boards, ranking eighth in America East.

Maine's defensive effort continues to be the strong suit as it climbs back to its top-5 ranking in all of NCAA from a year ago. Maine ranks 55th in the nation, allowing 58.4 points per game. The Black Bears, who trail New Hampshire for the America East lead in the category, have limited a total of seven opponents under 50 points this season. As a team, Maine is tied with Hartford the America East lead in shooting percentage (40.4%) and are fourth in assists (13.1).

SCOUTING STONY BROOK:
The Seawolves have opened America East play 0-2 with losses coming at conference leading New Hampshire (49-46) and on the road against defending champion UAlbany (64-54). Stony Brook, who hosts Maine for its first America East home contest, went 7-6 in non-conference action and enters play 4-2 at home. Senior guard Kori Bayne-Walker enters play averaging 11.8 points per game, shooting 46.6% from the floor, while ranking second in the league at 4.7 assists per game. Bayne-Walker ranks in the top-10 of league leaders in all shooting percentage categories, including tied for fourth in 3-point shooting (40.0%). Davion Wingate ranks 13th in the league at 11.3 points per game. Wingate is second in the league, and 11th nationally, at 91.1% from the free throw stripe.

Stony Brook ranks seventh in the league at 56.9 points per game and rank third in defense, allowing 58.8 points per game. The Seawolves are one of the best free throw shooting teams in the league, ranking second at 72.0%. Stony Brook also keeps its opponent off the glass, ranking second in America East allowing 35.1 rebounds.

A GLIMPSE INTO THE SERIES:
Maine and Stony Brook will be meeting for the 36th time in history dating back to 2001. The Black Bears, who have won each of the last five meetings, and currently lead the all-time series by a slim 18-17 margin. Maine took the most recent meeting by a score of 51-48 in last season's America East semifinal matchup. Maine is 6-10 at Stony Brook and have won two-straight road meetings. Stony Brook won the first ever meeting on Jan. 6, 2001 by a score of 60-52.

-UMaine-