CATONSVILLE, Md. (Interstat) — A pivotal America East women’s basketball clash is set for Thursday when the Maine Black Bears visit the UMBC Retrievers at the Retriever Activities Center. Both teams enter the contest with identical 6-4 conference records, though Maine holds the overall edge at 13-11. UMBC sits at .500 with an 11-11 mark. The matchup is a quick rematch of a Jan. 8 game in Orono, which Maine won decisively, 58-43. The Black Bears are riding a three-game winning streak, most recently defeating Bryant 64-56 on Saturday. Their success is fueled by forward Adrianna Smith, who is playing at an elite level. In the win over Bryant, she posted 29 points and 11 rebounds. Over her last five games, Smith is averaging a staggering 26.2 points and 10.6 rebounds, cementing her status as the conference’s premier player. UMBC looks to rebound from a 73-59 road loss at Binghamton last Thursday. The Retrievers are led by guard Jade Tillman, who scored 19 points in that defeat and has been a consistent scorer, averaging over 17 points per game in her last five outings. UMBC’s defense, which held Albany to 46 points in an overtime win on Jan. 31, will be tested by Smith and a Maine offense that put up 92 points in a win over UMass Lowell. The game carries significant weight in the crowded America East standings. A win would give Maine a regular-season sweep and solidify its position near the top of the league. For UMBC, protecting its home court is crucial to stay in the hunt for a favorable postseason seed. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST on Thursday, Feb. 12.