OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha women's basketball team closes the first half of Summit Week action this week with a pair of road games. The Mavericks visit Purdue Fort Wayne this Thursday at 4 p.m. (CT) before heading to South Dakota State on Saturday at 2 p.m.
Follow the Mavericks
Donny Baarns will have the radio call for both games. Thursday's game will air on 1180 AM Zone 2, while Saturday's game can be heard on 1290AM KOIL. Saturday's game also is available on YurView Cox Channel 1013, Midco and ESPN+. Links to live stats, audio and video will be listed on OMavs.com.
The Opening Tip
• Omaha has dropped four of its last five games heading into Thursday's game. Last time out, the Mavericks lost an 80-49 decision to South Dakota.
• Junior
Rayanna Carter paces the Mavericks, averaging 10.2 points and 1.9 assists per game.
• Freshman
Elena Pilakouta shoots a team-best 47.0 percent (62-132) from the field. Pilakouta also is leads the team with 1.1 blocks per game.
• Carter and sophomore
Claire Killian average 1.5 and 1.2 steals per game, respectively.
• Freshman
Josie Filer averages 7.6 rebounds per game.
• The Mavericks have assisted on 212 of its 394 made field goals this season.
• Omaha ranks second in the league in opponent's 3-point percentage (32.2 pct.) and points per game allowed (65.2 ppg).
• As a team, UNO ranks in the top four in four different rebounding categories.
• Coaches and members of the media picked Omaha to finish eighth in the Preseason Coaches Poll.
• The Mavericks returned one starter,
Claire Killian, and six letterwinners from last season's team.
• Last season, Omaha finished 12-16 overall and sixth in The Summit League with a mark of 3-11.
• Returning in 2018-19 for UNO are Killian, Wallace,
Jay Bridgeman,
Alicia Mountain,
Emily Petersen and
Kalen Phillips.
•
Kylee Coulter returns to action after redshirting last season.
• The Mavericks welcome six newcomers in Carter and
Juliana Chagas, and freshmen
Josie Filer,
Sophie Johnston,
Mariah Murdie and
Elena Pilakouta.
Getting to Know the Omaha Mavericks
Omaha enters the week with a 6-12 overall record and a 1-5 mark in the Summit League. The Mavericks have dropped two of their last three league games, including an 80-49 decision to South Dakota last Sunday.
As a team, Omaha averages 60.2 points and 37.4 rebounds per game, while shooting 39.0 percent (394-1,010) from the floor. The Mavericks shoot 30.1 percent (97-322) from 3-point distance and 70.0 percent (198-283) from the free throw line. Defensively, UNO gives up 65.2 points and 35.6 rebounds per contest. The opposition shoots 40.7 percent (440-1,080) from the field and 32.2 percent (138-428) from long range.
Scouting the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons
Purdue Fort Wayne enters Thursday's contest with a 4-14 overall and a 0-6 Summit League mark. The Mastodons fell 73-59 at Western Illinois last Saturday. Hannah Albrecht led the 'Dons with 16 points.
De'Jour Young leads Purdue Fort Wayne with 12.4 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Jaelencia Williams shoots 55.0 percent (66-120) from the field and averages 9.5 points per game.
Purdue Fort Wayne averages 63.0 points and 35.2 rebounds per game. The Mastodons shoot 40.6 percent (415-1,023) from the field and 33.7 percent (118-350) from behind the 3-point arc.
Niecee Nelson is in her third season at Purdue Fort Wayne with a 13-62 career mark.
Series History
Thursday marks the 13th all-time meeting between Omaha and Purdue Fort Wayne, with both teams winning six games. Last season, the Mavericks topped the Mastodons 77-61 in Omaha on Feb. 11.
Scouting the South Dakota State Jackrabbits
South Dakota State is 13-6 (5-1 Summit League) heading into the weekend. The Jackrabbits host North Dakota State on Thursday evening before welcoming Omaha on Saturday. CollegeInsider.com has SDSU sixth in the latest rankings, and the Coyotes are 26th in the latest RPI list.
SDSU, which finished 26-7 (12-2 Summit League) a year ago, was picked to win the conference by a vote of the league's coaches and media. Macy Miller was voted the Preseason Player of the Year. Madison Guebert joined Miller on the Preseason First Team, while Myah Selland and Tagyn Larson earned Second Team mentions.
Head coach Aaron Johnston holds a 454-155 career mark in 19 seasons at South Dakota State.
Series History
Saturday marks the 74th all-time meeting between Omaha and South Dakota State, with the Mavericks trailing the series 40-33. SDSU have won two straight in the series, including a 103-54 victory on Feb. 2, 2018, in Omaha.
Up Next
The Mavericks wrap up non-conference play on Wednesday, Jan. 30 by hosting Peru State. Wednesday's game is set to start at 7 p.m. at Baxter Arena. 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.
