ORONO, Maine -- The University of Maine women's basketball team (12-13, 5-5 America East) looks for its fourth-straight win in its series with Hartford when the two meet on Monday evening live on ESPN3.

PREVIEW/GAME NOTES

A LOOK AT THE BLACK BEARS:
Last time out, the Black Bears held trailed at UMBC by 10 and climbed back to take a lead but ultimately fell in the end, snapping a seven-game win streak against the Retrievers. Maine, which attempted its highest field goal total of the year (67), was led by Laia Sole who tallied 15 points and has now scored in double-digits in two of her last three outings. Anita Kelava matched a career-high with 10 points.

With 13 points against Vermont, Sigi Koizar became just the seventh Black Bears in history to eclipse the 1,500 point plateau. Koizar, who has notched double-digits in 13 of her 22 games this season, ranks ninth in the league at 12.9 points per game. Koizar has done a fair amount of her damage from the free throw line where she checks in fouth in the league at 81.0% from the charity stripe. Moving outside, Koizar is sixth in the league with 1.8 makes from 3-point range per game. Laia Sole, who is averaging 9.8 points per game overall, has elevated her game in league play. Sole ranks eighth in the league at 12.4 points per game in league contests to go along with 4.9 rebounds. Fellow freshman Blanca Millan has followed a similar path, averaging 8.8 points overall but checking in 17th among league leaders in conference scoring (11.2). Millan and Sole are both shooting 50.0% from the field in league action, tied for fifth among league leaders. Defensively, Millan (1.8 steals) and Anita Kelava (1.0 blocks) have helped lead Maine to one of the best defensive teams in America East. Kelava's 25 blocks are already the most for a Black Bear since current assistant coach Samantha Baranowski recorded 29 back in 2011-12. Tanesha Sutton is averaging 7.4 points and leads the Black Bears in rebounding (5.3), assists (2.7) and field goal percentage (46.8).

Maine, which ranks second in the league in defense allowing 58.2 points per game, have held nine opponents under 50 points. In league action, Maine is holding opponents to 54.4 points per game. The Black Bears are fourth in the league in blocks (3.2). The Black Bears will look for just their third road victory of the season as they enter 2-11 as the visitor.

SCOUTING HARTFORD:
The Hawks, who have gone to overtime in two of their last three games, have lost their last two games. Last time out, Hartford dropped a 76-70 decision at Vermont in double overtime. Deanna Mayza led the attack with 18 points. The Hawks are 4-0 at home in league play and 7-3 overall on their home court.

Mayza leads the way for Hartford, averaging 13.8 points per game to rank fifth in the league. Mayza is followed closely by freshman Sierra Da Costa who is sixth at 13.2 points per game. Mayza is also the league's leader in assists (5.1) and ranks sixth from beyond the arc (35.3). Lindsey Abed is 10th in the league at 11.6 points per game and leads the league from downtown at 40.7% from 3-point range.

Hartford, the league's top-ranked offense at 68.7 points per game, are 36th in the nation and tops in the America East from 3-point range (35.7%). Defensively, Hartford is ninth in the nation, averaging 12.1 steals per game. The Hawks are the nation's seventh best in turnover margin (+7.50) and ninth in the NCAA, forcing 21.9 turnovers per game.
 
A GLIMPSE INTO THE SERIES:
Maine and Hartford will meet for the 72nd time. The Black Bears hold the all-time advantage in the series, 43-28, and have won each of the past three meetings, and five of the last six, after sweeping the series last season. Dating back to 1985, Maine is 19-13 all-time at Hartford. Maine has won three-straight at Hartford. Prior to that streak, Hartford had won nine in a row at home. The Black Bears won the first ever meeting back in 1986 by a score of 71-53. Last time out, Blanca Millan tallied 23 points as the Black Bears defeated Hartford 73-62. Maine shot 50.9% in the win and dominated the boards with a 45-24 margin. Sigi Koizar is averaging 12.4 points and 4.6 rebounds in eight meetings with Hartford.