The Basics
The Mavericks snapped a 22-game road skid at Western Illinois Thursday night beating the Leathernecks, 78-74. They look to pick up their third league win at St. Thomas on Saturday. The Tommies started their week with a win vs. Denver to remain a perfect 8-0 on their home court. Tipoff in St. Paul is set for 7 p.m. for Omaha and St. Thomas.

Gary Sharp will have the call on 1620 The Zone and links to live stats, audio, and video can be found at OMavs.com.

Quick Hits
• For the first time since the 2020-21 season, Omaha earned a road win. The Mavericks were powered by a Frankie Fidler double-double. He scored 21 points and grabbed 10 boards.
• It marked Fidler's third game with at least 20 points this season and improved his double-figure scoring streak to five straight games.
• Marquel Sutton (13), JJ White (12), and Dylan Brougham (10) joined Fidler in double-figures.
• Omaha finished the month of December 2-5 overall with wins vs. Midland and Denver on its home court.
• Over the seven-game stretch, the Mavericks improved their shooting from three-point range. They increased their percentage from November by more than six percent.
• The Mavericks recorded at least 10 threes in two games last month, including a season-best 11 makes vs. Midland.
• Kyle Luedtke led the way in the 104-72 win going 7-of-7 from the arc.
• Omaha tallied another 10 makes vs. Oral Roberts. This time freshman Luke Jungers found success sinking 5-of-5 from deep.
• Last week, the Mavericks hosted Oral Roberts and Kansas City for Summit League play at Baxter Arena.
• Omaha took the Golden Eagles down to the wire falling short by just three points. Fidler notched a team-best 20 points, while Jungers added 16 points off the bench.
• Tony Osburn poured in a career-best 14 points, while Sutton scored 13. White and Akol Arop both scored 11 to round out the double-figure performances.
• Kansas City challenged Omaha down the stretch handing the Mavericks a 75-59 loss.
• Sutton led the way with 18 points, while Fidler added 10 points.
• Sutton has scored at least 10 points in six of the last seven games.
• Fidler is riding a five-game double-figure scoring streak. His 21 points at WIU marks the third time he's cracked into the 20+ mark this season.
• Head coach Chris Crutchfield has an 16-19 overall coaching record. It marks his second season as a head coach and first with the Mavericks.

Scouting the St. Thomas Tommies
St. Thomas got off to a hot start this season and sit 12-6 overall and 3-2 in league play. Despite losing a close season opener to No. 9 Creighton, St. Thomas rebounded with four straight wins. The Tommies beat North Dakota and North Dakota State to open league action before they fell in a pair of games to South Dakota and South Dakota State. The Tommies kept their perfect 8-0 home record alive earlier this week with an 81-71 win vs. Denver.

Andrew Rohde and Park Bjorklund lead St. Thomas with 14.7 ppg. Rohde is shooting 42.7 percent from the field, while Bjorklund leads the team shooting 53.4 percent. Rohde scored a season-high 22 points on two occasions this year, while Bjorklund led the Tommies past UND with a 29-point performance.

John Tauer is in his 12th season leading the Tommies. He's compiled a 240-76 overall record.

All-Time Against St. Thomas
The Tommies lead the all-time series 2-0 after sweeping last year's meetings.