BISMARCK, ND – A youthful but experienced University of Mary women's basketball team opens the season with a full weekend, playing twice in the Central Region Challenge against MIAA foes in Kansas City on Nov. 10-11 before stopping in Omaha, NE, on the way home on Nov. 12.
 
WEEKEND IN THE MIDWEST
The Marauders regular season schedule opens against the University of Central Missouri on Friday, Nov. 10. Game time is 2:15 pm at the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, MO.
 
On Saturday, UMary faces Washburn University, once against at 2:15 at Municipal Auditorium.
 
The weekend wraps up with a visit to the College of Saint Mary in Omaha, NE, on Sunday, Nov. 12. Tipoff is set for 2 pm.
 
CENTRAL REGION CHALLENGE
The Central Region Challenge features eight teams combined from the Northern Sun, the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association and the Great American Conference, the three conferences that form the NCAA Division II Central region for post-season tournament play. In addition to the Marauders, Central Missouri and Washburn, Concordia-St. Paul, Northern State and Minnesota State from the NSIC, Pitt State of the MIAA and GAC member Harding also are competing in the Challenge.
 
LOOK AT THE MARAUDERS
The Marauders return three starters and may start four underclassmen. Entering her third year as a starter, senior Dani Williams moves to the win after running the offense last year. The 5-9 guard averaged 8.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists last year.
 
Sophomore Gabbie Bohl is an interior force for the Marauders. The Minot, ND, native earned All-NSIC second team honors, was the league's Freshman of the Year and was on the all-freshman team. She averaged 15.3 points and 5.9 rebounds, registering four double doubles and posting double digits in points in all but two conference games.
 
Lauren Rotunda, a sophomore from Fargo, ND, joined Bohl on the NSIC All-Freshman team. The
6-0 guard averaged 9.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 25 assists per game.
 
Sophomore forward Cassie Askvig moves into the starting lineup after playing a key reserve role for the Marauders her first season. The Minot, ND, product posted 8.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 43.4 percent from the floor and a team-leading 84.8 percent at the free throw line.
 
Freshman Macy Williams and sophomore Christal Hearn will run the point for the Marauders. Both started the Marauders exhibition win at the University of Jamestown. Hearn, who played in all 31 Marauders games last season, contributed seven points and two rebounds against the Jimmies. Williams hit a pair of 3-pointers and scored 10 points.
 
Isabel Schmelzer will be a key reserve on the baseline and Jordyn Jossart and Sawyer Kluge will help on the wing and in the backcourt.
 
The Marauders are coming off a 15-16 season overall, a 10-12 mark and 10^th place overall in the Northern Sun and 8-6 and the fourth slot in the NSIC North Division to earn a home playoff game last season. UMary was picked 9^th overall and 3^rd in the NSIC North in the preseason coaches' poll.
 
CENTRAL MISSOURI BREAKDOWN
Central Missouri is coming off a 24-7 season last year, advancing to the semifinals of the NCAA Central Region tournament. The Jennies are ranked 13^th nationally in the WBCA poll and 11^th in the D2SIDA rankings and are the favorite to win the MIAA. All-American guard Paige Redmond also earned All-MIAA first team honors last season after averaging 16.2 points/game. Kayonna Lee and Megan Skaggs also return after earning MIAA honorable mention honors.
 
WASHBURN BREAKDOWN
Washburn posted a 17-12 record overall last season with a league mark of 10-9. It was the Ichabods 16^th straight winning season. Soph. G Reagan Phelan, who averaged 11.2 points/game and shot .446 from the field last year, is the lone returning starter. Washburn head coach Ron McHenry, who passed 400 career wins last season, has 11 new players on his roster, including five transfers and six freshmen.
 
COLLEGE OF SAINT MARY BREAKDOWN
The College of Saint Mary, an NAIA school competing in the GPAC, already has five games under its belt but the Flames are still searching for their first victory. The Flames have played three teams receiving votes in the national poll. Saint Mary finished last year 7-22 overall. Jr. Ashley Nelson is the Flames leading returning scoring at 8.3 ppg. Sr. Miranda Acuna returns after posting 7 ppg. Sr. Tyler Sumpter leads the Flames in scoring this season at 14.8 ppg. Acuna is second at 13.8 ppg. This will be an exhibition game for Saint Mary but is a regular season contest for UMary.
 
HOME OPENER
The Marauders open their home schedule against Dickinson State University on Nov. 18 at 4 pm.
 
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