OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha women's basketball team hosts Denver this Thursday, Jan. 18. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. at Baxter Arena, and Donny Baarns will have the radio call on 1180 Zone 2. Fans can stream audio on their smartphones by downloading NRG Media's app "1620 The Zone," and links to live video, audio and stats will be available on OMavs.com.
About the Omaha Mavericks
• Omaha enters the game on a four-game losing streak after falling 90-51 to Western Illinois on Jan. 13.
• The Mavericks are 8-8 overall and 0-4 in Summit League action.
• Three UNO players average double-figure scoring: junior guard
Jess Walter (12.4 ppg), junior guard
Amber Vidal (11.9 ppg) and junior guard
Ellie Brecht (10.5 ppg).
• UNO won seven straight games from Nov. 17-Dec. 6, its longest winning streak since the 2007-8 season.
• This season Vidal has led the Mavericks in scoring seven times while Walter has led the team three times.
• Three Mavericks have had at least one 20-point scoring performance this season with Vidal going for 20+ four times.
• Omaha shot .500 or better as a team in three straight games from Nov. 30-Dec. 6 and four times overall this year.
• The Mavericks were picked fifth in the league's 2017-18 preseason poll.
• Last season, UNO finished 16-15 overall and fifth in the Summit League with a mark of 8-8.
• Omaha returns two of five starters from last season's team, including juniors
Courtney Vaccher and
Amber Vidal.
• UNO also returns juniors
Ellie Brecht and
Kalen Phillips, along with sophomore Bridgeman.
• Walter and sophomore
Sara Echelberry return to action after redshirting in 2016-17.
• The Mavericks welcome six newcomers in juniors
Alicia Mountain and
Romekia Wallace, and freshmen
Kylee Coulter,
Emily Dewey,
Claire Killian and
Emily Petersen.
About the Denver Pioneers
Denver enters the week with an 11-8 overall record and is 2-2 in Summit League play. The Pioneers topped North Dakota State, 98-79, on Jan. 13 in Denver.
Claire Gritt leads Denver in scoring averaging 9.8 points per game. Briana Johnson adds 8.9 points and 3.5 assists per game. Jordyn Alt is the team leader in rebounding, averaging 7.6 boards per game.
As a team, the Pioneers are averaging 69.2 points per game while allowing 64.6. This season DU leads the Summit League in rebounding, averaging 40.3 rebounds per game.
Head coach Jim Turgeon is in his first season at the helm of the Pioneers. Turgeon is 380-180 over his 18-year coaching career.
Series History
Thursday is the 11th all-time meeting between Omaha and Denver. The Mavericks lead the all-time series 8-2 and swept the season series last year.
Looking Ahead
The Mavericks travel to South Dakota on Saturday, Jan. 20. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. at the Sanford Coyote Sports Center. Donny Baarns will have the radio call on 1180 Zone2 and links to live stats, audio and video will be available on OMavs.com.
Connect with the Mavericks on Social Media
Fans are encouraged to connect with the Mavericks on Facebook (OmahaWBB), Instagram (@OmahaWBB) and Twitter (@OmahaWBB). They are also encouraged to use #MaverickUprising in posts.
