OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha women's basketball team will close out its home schedule on Wednesday, Feb. 14 as the Mavericks battle South Dakota. Tipoff at Baxter Arena is set for 7 p.m. Fans are encouraged to wear pink, as Wednesday's game will serve as UNO's annual Pink night.
How to Follow the Mavericks
Donny Baarns will have the radio call on 1180 Zone 2. Links to live video, audio and stats will be available on OMavs.com.
About the Omaha Mavericks
• Omaha is 11-12 overall and 2-8 in Summit League action, following a 77-61 victory over Fort Wayne on Sunday.
• South Dakota holds a 42-35 series lead over Omaha, including a 70-46 win earlier this season. The Coyotes have a 10-2 advantage in the series since both teams transitioned to Division I.
• Through 23 contests, junior guards
Amber Vidal (12.8 points and 3.9 assists per game) and
Jess Walter (10.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game) lead Omaha.
• Junior Center
Courtney Vaccher leads UNO and The Summit League in field-goal percentage at 62.5 percent.
• 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 10 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+ six times.
• Vidal made her 200th career field goal in Sunday's win against Fort Wayne.
• 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, Vaccher and Vidal.
• UNO also returns Brecht and junior guard
Kalen Phillips, along with sophomore forward
Jay 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 South Dakota Coyotes
The Coyotes are 21-5 on the season and lead the Summit League with an 11-0 mark. USD topped Doane in a non-conference game on Feb. 10, 96-54. South Dakota is currently riding a 15-game winning streak.
Ciara Duffy and Allison Arens combine to lead the Coyotes with 24.7 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game. Duffy averages 12.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game, while Arens comes in at 12.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists each game. Jaycee Bradley adds 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.
As a team, South Dakota is averaging 75.2 points, 32.3 rebounds and 15.2 assists per game. Their opponents average 59.2 points, 30.5 rebounds and 11.2 assists.
Head coach Dawn Plitzuweit is 44-14 in two seasons with the Coyotes and has a 232-107 mark over 11 seasons.
History vs. South Dakota
South Dakota holds a 42-35 series lead over Omaha, including a 70-46 win earlier this season. The Coyotes have a 10-2 advantage in the series since both teams transitioned to Division I. UNO's last win was a 64-58 victory in the Summit League quarterfinals on March 5, 2017.
Looking Ahead
The Mavericks will play their final three regular-season games on the road, starting with Denver on Saturday, Feb. 17. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.
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.
