Preview: Maine Black Bears at Quinnipiac Bobcats HAMDEN, Conn. (Interstat) — The Quinnipiac Bobcats look to continue their strong early-season form when they host the struggling Maine Black Bears in a nonconference women’s basketball game Sunday at TD Bank Sports Center. The Bobcats (5-3) enter on a three-game winning streak, including decisive road victories over Boston College (76-49) and Cornell (68-47). Quinnipiac has found its rhythm offensively, averaging 71 points during the streak. A key catalyst has been junior guard Jackie Grisdale, who is averaging 20.3 points over her last three contests. She scored a season-high 25 points in the win at Cornell. Forward Ella O’Donnell, who had 19 points and six rebounds against the Big Red, provides a consistent interior presence. Maine (3-8) seeks to halt a three-game skid, most recently a 74-51 loss at Fairfield on Friday. The Black Bears have struggled offensively, failing to reach 60 points in six of their eight losses this season. The Black Bears will lean heavily on forward Adrianna Smith, one of the nation’s most versatile players. Smith is coming off a 26-point performance in a loss to Rhode Island on Dec. 7 and recorded a triple-double (19 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists) in a win over Saint Francis (PA) on Nov. 29. Containing her will be a primary focus for the Quinnipiac defense. This matchup pits Quinnipiac’s balanced scoring attack against a Maine team reliant on Smith’s all-around production. The Bobcats have been stout at home, winning three of four in Hamden, while Maine is 1-5 in true road games. For Quinnipiac, this begins a stretch of three home games in four contests before Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play intensifies in January. Maine continues a challenging road swing before returning to Orono for its America East Conference opener on Jan. 8. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. EST on Sunday, Dec. 14.