OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha women's basketball team begins Summit League play this weekend at Baxter Arena, welcoming Denver on Friday, Dec. 28 at 5 p.m. and Oral Roberts on Sunday, Dec. 30 at 2 p.m. Donny Baarns will have the call of the action in both games on 1180 AM Zone 2, and links to live stats, audio and video will be listed on OMavs.com.
Pregame Shots
• Omaha has dropped four of its last five games heading into Friday's game. Last time out, the Mavericks lost a 79-50 non-conference game at Northern Iowa last Friday.
• The Mavericks shot over 40.0 percent against the Bobcats, marking the fifth time this season UNO had eclipsed the 40.0 percent mark.
• Freshman
Mariah Murdie scored a game-high 16 points with six rebounds and a steal.
• Junior
Rayanna Carter and sophomore
Claire Killian each scored 10 points. Carter added two assists and two steals.
• Senior
Romekia Wallace made her first career start for the Mavericks and grabbed six boards.
• UNO shot to 32.8 percent from the floor (20-61) and 11.1 percent from beyond the 3-point line (2-18) against UNI.
• Freshman
Josie Filer ranks third in defensive (68) and total (99) rebounds) in The Summit League. Filer is fourth in rebounds per game (8.3 rpg) and fifth in offensive boards (31).
• 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.
Getting to Know the Omaha Mavericks
Omaha is 5-7 overall after falling 79-50 to Northern Iowa on Dec. 21.
Mariah Murdie led three Mavericks in double-figures with a career-high 16 points and added six rebounds.
Rayanna Carter and
Claire Killian each added 10 points.
Rayanna Carter continues to pace the Mavericks offensively, averaging 9.7 points per game. Carter also averages 2.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game. She has been in double-figures seven times this season, including six of the last seven games.
Elena Pilakouta averages 8.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and a team-best 2.0 assists per game.
Claire Killian adds 8.8 points and 3.7 boards per game, while
Josie Filer chips in 8.1 points and a team-best 8.3 rebounds per game.
As a team, the Mavericks average 58.8 points and 39.1 rebounds per game. Omaha shoots a collective 38.9 percent (265-682) from the field, 27.6 percent (56-203) from 3-point range and 66.5 percent (119-179) percent from the free throw line. Defensively, they give up 60.0 points and 36.0 rebounds per game. The opposition is limited to 38.4 percent (274-713) from the floor and 29.4 percent (84-286) from long range.
Scouting the Denver Pioneers
Denver enters Friday's game with a 7-6 mark after falling 84-79 to Colorado State in Fort Collins, Colo. on Dec. 21. The Pioneers have lost four straight after starting the season 7-2. DU is 6-1 at Hamilton Gymnasium while posting a 1-5 mark away from home.
Six Pioneers are averaging double-figure scoring: Lauren Loven (15.7 ppg), Madison Nelson (15.2 ppg), Claire Gritt (12.2 ppg), Courtney Smith (11.8 ppg) and Samantha Pomanowski (11.3 ppg). Loven has tallied seven 20+-point games this season. Nelson and Smith also average 9.5 and 8.6 rebounds per game, respectively.
Denver leads The Summit League in scoring (82.5 ppg) and rebounding (42.2 rpg). The Pioneers shoot 43.2 percent (383-886) from the field, 40.1 percent (128-319) from behind the 3-point arc and 73.9 percent (178-241) at the line. Defensively, the Pioneers give up 76.7 points and 41.9 rebounds per game. DU holds the opposition to 39.4 percent (356-903) from the floor and 33.0 percent (89-270) from long range.
Series History
Friday marks the 13th all-time meeting between Omaha and Denver, with the Mavericks leading the series 8-4. The Pioneers swept the season series in 2017-18, defeating UNO 85-74 at Baxter Arena on Jan. 18 and 81-60 in Denver on Feb. 17.
Scouting the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles
Oral Roberts enters Sunday's game with a 7-6 record after dropping an 89-69 decision to Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Okla. on Dec. 21. ORU is 4-2 in December. The Golden Eagles are 4-2 at home and 3-3 on the road.
Three Golden Eagles are averaging double-figure scoring: Lakota Beatty (15.5 ppg), Keni Jo Lippe (13.0 ppg) and Maya Mayberry (12.2 ppg). Beatty also leads ORU in rebounding (5.0 rpg) and assists (3.3 apg).
As a team, Oral Roberts averages 71.8 points and 37.3 rebounds per game. ORU shoots 40.7 percent (295-725) from the field and 36.1 percent (109-302) from deep. The Golden Eagles also hit 75.3 percent (162-215) of their free throws. Defensively, Oral Roberts gives up 65.7 points and 40.7 rebounds per game. The opposition shoots 38.5 percent (281-730) from the floor and 26.7 percent (52-195) from 3-point range.
Up Next
Omaha caps its homestand on Sunday, Jan. 6, against North Dakota State at 2 p.m. at Baxter Arena. The game will be televised live on YurVuew Cox Channel 1013, and Donny Baarns will have the radio call on 1180 Zone 2. Links to live video, audio and stats will be available on OMavs.com.
Social Media Shout Outs
Fans are encouraged to connect with the women's basketball team on Facebook (OmahaWBB), Instagram (@OmahaWBB) and Twitter (@OmahaWBB). Supporters also are urged to use #EveryoneForOmaha in social media posts.
