OMAHA, Neb.- To the delight of more than 4,800 elementary school fans in attendance, the Omaha Mavericks dominated the College of St. Mary 108-45 in the women's basketball home opener at Baxter Arena. The points total for the Mavericks is their most in a regular season game since 11/14/2013 when they scored 109 in a win over Graceland College.
Two newcomers posted double-doubles for Omaha. Senior
Aaliyah Moore (Milwaukee, Wisc.) led all scorers 21 points to go with 14 rebounds and five assists. Freshman center
Harriet Ford (Perth, Western Australia) scored 20 points and pulled down a game-high 15 rebounds. Omaha (1-1) has never lost to their NAIA neighbors St. Mary (1-3) in seven meetings.
After struggling against a much bigger and heralded team in their opening game loss at Nebraska, the Mavericks turned the page with an equally impressive win of their own. Omaha outrebounded St. Mary 60-20, limiting the Flames to 29.2% shooting, and dominating inside with 58 points in the paint. The Flames turned the ball over 25 times and the Mavericks racked up 16 steals, out scoring St. Mary 34-12 off turnovers.
Sophomore
Ali Stephens (Ft. Wayne, Ind.) scored a career high 17 points on 5 of 7 shooting, including 5 of 6 threes, both personal bests. Senior
Grace Cave (Weeping Water, Neb.) had 11 points, three assists and five steals while freshman
Kyana Weir (Perth, Western Australia) had 10 points and three assists in her Mavericks debut. Senior
Morgann Gardner had 8 points and three rebounds, while sophomore
Alana Powell dished out a game-high seven assists.
Sophomore
Cora Olsen (Omaha, Neb.) had four points, four rebounds and three steals, senior
Katie Keitges (Knoxville, Iowa) had three points,
Paige Horne (Scottsbluff, Neb.) had six points and four rebounds while fellow freshman
Daria Shelby (Canton, Mich.) added four points and three rebounds.
The Mavericks host Western Illinois University Sunday at 2:05 p.m. at Baxter Arena. The game will be broadcast on the Varsity Network app and 1180 am with Brent Weber on play-by-play, simulcasting on television through the Summit League Network.
