OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha women's basketball program is back in action after a week off with a road trip to Denver for a Saturday, Jan. 18, showdown at Denver. The game is set for a 4:30 p.m. (CST) start time and fans can listen via 1180 Zone 2.
OPENING TIP
- Omaha aims for its first road win of the season as the team sits at 0-6 on the year.
- Last time out, Omaha fell 77-44 at No. 22 South Dakota as Kia Wilson led the way with eight points.
- Claire Killian leads the team with 9.4 points per game and Mariah Murdie ranks second with 8.2 points and a team-leading 6.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game.
- The Mavericks hold an 8-4 all-time series lead over the Pioneers.
- Omaha has dropped the last four to the Pioneers and aims for its first win over the team since Feb. 27, 2017, where that team defeated Denver 100-78 at home.
- The last time both teams faced each other was at Denver on March 2, 2019, where the Pioneers pulled out a 72-66 win over the Mavericks.
- Murdie has been on a recent momentum boost, as she has notched double-digit scoring in six of her last eight games.
- Omaha has shot 90% or better from the free throw line in its last three games.
SCOUTING DENVER
The Pioneers sit at 7-11 overall and 1-4 in league play. Right now, Denver sits right behind Omaha in the league standings in seventh. Madison Nelson leads the team in four different categories: points per game (16.2), rebounds per game (10.7), blocks per game (1.7) and steals per game (2.3). Nelson recently eclipsed the 1,000-point mark for her career.
Denver and Omaha have a common non-conference opponent in Kansas City this season. The Pioneers fell 83-79 in their season opener to the Roos, while Omaha defeated them 57-53 on Dec. 4. Head coach Jim Turgeon is in his third season with the program. He owns a 41-39 record with the Pioneers.
LOOKING AHEAD
Omaha returns home for two games in a three-day span next weekend. The Mavericks battle Western Illinois Friday evening, Jan. 24, at 7 p.m. The team follows up for its "70s Day" promotion with a Sunday, Jan. 26, showdown against Purdue Fort Wayne at 2 p.m. For more information, visit OMavs.com.
