OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha women's basketball team will close out a two-game road swing this Friday, Dec. 21 at Northern Iowa. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Follow the Mavericks
The game will be broadcast live on ESPN3, and Jon Schriner will have the radio call on 1180 Zone 2. Links to live stats, audio and video will be available on OMavs.com.
The Opening Tip
• Omaha has dropped three of its last four games heading into Friday's game. Last time out, Omaha fell 59-56 to Montana State in Bozeman, Mont., on Dec. 16.
• The Mavericks shot over 40.0 percent against the Bobcats, marking the fifth time this season UNO had eclipsed the 40.0 percent mark.
• Omaha has made 19 of its last 21 free throws dating back to Dec. 9 against CSU Bakersfield.
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Josie Filer led three Mavericks in double-figures with 15 points against Montana State.
Claire Killian had 14 points, while
Elena Pilakouta added 10.
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Romekia Wallace grabbed seven rebounds, her highest total since Dec. 10, 2017, against Creighton.
• Filer ranks second in offensive (28), defensive (64) and total rebounds (92) in The Summit League. She also is tied for second in rebounds per game with 8.4 boards per game.
• The Mavericks have assisted on 146 of its 245 made field goals this season.
• Four players average 8.0 or more points per game for Omaha this season, and nine different Mavericks have scored in double figures in at least one game.
• Omaha holds the opposition to a 37.4 shooting position from the field, lowest in The Summit League.
• The Mavericks rank second in the league in opponent's 3-point percentage (29.3 pct.) and points per game allowed (58.3 ppg).
• As a team, UNO ranks third in four different rebounding categories.
Scouting the Omaha Mavericks
Omaha is 5-6 entering Friday's matchup after dropping two games last weekend. The Mavericks lost an 80-60 decision at home to Bradley last Friday before falling at Montana State.
Rayanna Carter leads in Omaha in scoring, averaging 9.6 points per game.
Elena Pilakouta averages 8.9 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, as well as a team-high 2.2 assists per game.
Claire Killian and
Josie Filer round out UNO's scoring leaders with 8.6 points and 8.3 points per game, respectively. Killian is the team leader with 1.4 steals per game, while Filer is the team's top rebounder with 8.4 boards per contest.
As a team, the Mavericks average 59.5 points and 39.5 rebounds per game. Omaha shoots 39.5 percent (245-621) from the field and 29.2 percent (54-185) from 3-point range. UNO connects on 67.7 percent (111-164) of its free throws. The Mavericks hold the opposition to 37.4 percent (242-647) from the floor and 29.3 percent (76-259) from long range.
Scouting the Northern Iowa Panthers
Northern Iowa enters Friday's game with a 6-4 mark after defeating Minnesota State 73-56 at home. The Panthers are 4-0 the McLeod Center this season.
Karli Rucker paces the Panthers with 16.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. Ellie Howell adds 10.6 points and 4.3 boards per game. Megan Maahs leads UNI in rebounding, averaging 5.8 per game.
As a team, the Panthers average 64.2 points and 37.3 rebounds per game. Northern Iowa shoots 38.1 percent (226-593) from the field and 28.7 percent (73-254) from long range. UNI also hits 77.5 percent (117-151) from the charity stripe. Defensively, Northern Iowa allows 65.8 points and 37.0 rebounds per game. The opposition shoots 42.3 percent (249-589) from the floor and 34.1 percent (56-164) from behind the 3-point line against UNI.
Series History
Friday marks the fifth all-time meeting between Omaha and Northern Iowa, with the Mavericks leading the all-time series, 3-1. It is the second time the two teams have met since UNO transitioned to Division I.
Omaha and UNI last faced each other Dec. 6, 2017 at Baxter Arena, where the Mavericks won 78-74.
Amber Vidal scored a career-high 24 points.
Claire Killian added 16 points, four rebounds and two steals.
Up Next
The Mavericks will take a few days off for the holidays but return to action on Friday, Dec. 28 as Omaha opens Summit League play against Denver at 5 p.m.
