OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha women's basketball team returns home this Saturday, Feb. 9 against Western Illinois. Tipoff is set for 2 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.
The Opening Tip
• Omaha has lost three-straight coming into Saturday's game, after a 78-33 loss at South Dakota.
• Sophomore
Emily Petersen scored a team-high 11 points.
• Sophomore
Claire Killian added nine points, three rebounds and three assists.
• Freshman
Josie Filer grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds.
• Junior
Rayanna Carter paces the Mavericks with 9.8 points and 1.7 assists per game.
• Filer is the team's top rebounder, averaging 7.7 boards per contest.
• Carter paces the Mavericks, averaging 10.2 points and 1.8 assists per game.
•
Josie Filer leads Omaha in rebounding, averaging 7.6 rebounds per contest.
• Omaha ranks third in the league in points per game allowed (65.3 ppg).
• The Mavericks are third in 3-point field goal defense (33.3 pct.).
• As a team, UNO ranks in the top five in six 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.
Scouting the Western Illinois Fighting Leathernecks
Western Illinois is 11-13 overall and 7-4 in Summit League play following a 90-61 win at Purdue Fort Wayne on Wednesday. Olivia Kaufmann led four WIU players in double figures with 20 points. Danni Nichols added 17 points, while Taylor Higginbotham chipped in 16. Kyra Washington scored 11 points on 3-of-4 shooting.
Head coach JD Gravina is in his eighth season at Western Illinois with a mark of 132-110 and has a career mark of 245-171 in 14 seasons.
Series History
Saturday's game is the 17th all-time meeting between Omaha and Western Illinois, with the Fighting Leathernecks holding a 13-4 advantage in the series. The Fighting Leathernecks have won eight straight games, including a 78-70 decision over the Mavericks on Jan. 16, 2019 in Macomb, Ill.
Up Next
Omaha continues its final homestand against South Dakota State on Wednesday, Feb. 13. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at Baxter Arena. Donny Baarns and former Maverick
Mikaela Shaw will have the broadcast on YurView Cox Channel 1013, ESPN+ and Midco, and John Shriner 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.
