THIS WEEKEND
After spending the last two weekends on the road, the University of Mary women's basketball team returns home for the final two games of the regular season. Looking to still gain ground in the league standings, the Marauders host the Bemidji State University Beavers and the University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles on Friday and Saturday, February 16-17, at the McDowell Activity Center in Bismarck, ND. The Marauders and the Beavers tip off at 6 pm on Friday. On Senior Day, the Marauders and the Golden Eagles take to the floor Saturday at 4 pm.
 
THE RECORD
The Marauders are 12-14 overall and 8-12 in the NSIC (6th NSIC North, 10th overall).
 
LAST TIME OUT
Taking on two teams in the upper half of the NSIC North division, the University of Mary lost a pair of road games at St. Cloud State and Minnesota Duluth… Gabbie Bohl produced 25 points and 14 rebounds in the Marauders 60-53 loss at 3^rd place SCSU. Bohl was the lone UMary player who scored in double figures. The Huskies swept the series in part to a +13 edge in turnovers in the game that led to a 25-5 advantage in points off turnovers. UMary pulled within 55-53 with just under a minute left in the game but couldn't complete the comeback. Cassie Askvig had nine rebounds and five assists for UMary and Lauren Rotunda had eight points and eight rebounds. Brianna Thomas led SCSU with 16 points… In a game that featured a combined 23 ties and lead changes, the Marauders fell 69-66 in overtime. UMary rallied from seven points down in the 4^th quarter to force an extra session. Askvig led the Marauders with 19 points and ten rebounds, both game highs. Bohl had 16 points and seven rebounds and Rotunda recorded 14 points, six rebounds and five assists. Sarah Grow had 19 points for UMD. UMary shot 49 percent for the game to 41 for UMD but the Bulldogs were +12 in turnovers, held a 19-5 advantage in offensive rebounds and took 20 more field goals in the game.
 
PLAYOFF CHASE
Entering the final weekend of the regular season, the Marauders are two games back of Minot State for fifth place in the NSIC North division standings. While the two teams have split their season series with each other and would have the same NSIC and divisional record should UMary win two and MSU gets swept, the Beavers may hold the tiebreaker with a win over St. Cloud State, the highest-ranked team either MSU or UMary had defeated this season. Should the standings remain static and UMary finish sixth in the NSIC North, chances are the Marauders would visit the University of Sioux Falls, currently third in the NSIC South. Neither USF or UMary has a strong chance to move up in the standings and neither anticipates slipping in the standings.
 
PLAYOFF DATA
The first round of the NSIC Tournament is slated for Wednesday, February 21. The top seed in the North will face the 8^th seed in the south, followed by North 2 v South 7, North 3 v South 6, etc. Once the matchups have been made, in a new twist, the team with the best conference record hosts the game. If the conference records are even, the higher seed will host unless the lower seed posted a road win at the higher seed. The first round winners advance to the quarterfinals at the Sanford Health Pentagon in Sioux Falls, SD, on February 25. The semifinals are Feb. 26 and the championship game is set for February 27.
 
FAST BREAK

• The Marauders are back home after their longest road trip of the season (four games)
• UMary look forward to its returns to the McDowell Activity, where the Marauders are 9-3 this season. The team is 3-9 on the road and 0-2 in neutral site games
• The Marauders have won six of their last ten games
• UMary was streaky on the road in conference games, dropping the first six, winning two, then losing the last three
• The Marauders finished 5-3 against NSIC South teams this season after going 2-6 last year
• UMary has played games against four nationally-ranked teams this season: home and away against #19 and #16 Northern State, neutral site game against #11 Central Missouri and at #23 Augustana (rankings at time of game)
• Just the 24th UMary women's basketball player to crack 900 points in her career, Sr. G Dani Williams is up to 17th on the all-time scoring list with 999 points. Williams passed Maren Loe (991) last weekend. UMary's all-time leading scorer is Brittney Dietz with 1,836 points (2012-16).
• Soph. F Gabbie Bohl became the 25^th University of Mary player to crack 900 career points. She currently has 928 points in 56 games and ranks 22^nd all-time. Next in front of Bohl is Rhonda Leinius (944) and Jennifer Lunde (950).
• Soph. F Cassie Askvig is closing in on 600 career points, sitting at 598 in 56 games
• Soph. G Lauren Rotunda owns 530 career points in 56 games
• The Marauders have allowed 69 or fewer points in 17 of 26 games, including 10-of-12 home games

 
SENIOR SALUTE
The Marauders honor four seniors this weekend when Dani Williams, Anna Schmelzer, Sawyer Kluge and Hannah Saliba play their final games in the Blue & Orange. Here are comments on each senior by head coach Rick Neumann:
 
Dani Williams: "I remember seeing Dani's highlight film on one of the thousand emails we get a year from recruiting services. I reached out to Dani and we formed a relationship that ultimately led her to UMary. She has been a great performer on the court who will always be known for sacrificing personal attributes for team success. Dani moved from shooting guard to point guard for three seasons because it made out team better, despite it not being her natural position. I'm happy as a senior she has been able to move back to a more comfortable position, allowing her to excel as one of the best shooters in the Northern Sun. She is a 1,000 point scorer for us and will also finish in the all-time leaderboard for assists. Despite her on court success it is her growth off the court that has made me most proud. She has become a selfless teammate, a true leader, and most importantly an amazing ambassador for the University of Mary. Having coached Dani for five years she will always hold a special place in my heart."
 
Anna Schmelzer: "Anna epitomizes what we want a Marauders student-athlete to represent. She has managed an extremely difficult academic workload with a demanding athletic schedule. She has achieved the highest award the NSIC gives out, the prestigious Myles Brand award. Anna was awarded the honor of team captain this year largely for her role in leading our practice and game energy. It is noticeable when Anna is gone for clinical rotation; the energy in our practice is just not the same. She has made her teammates better each year through her hard work, dedication, and consistent effort. Anna will be extremely successful in any endeavor she chooses and our program has been improved by our presence."
 
Sawyer Kluge: "Sawyer has been a two-year contributor to our basketball program, coming from Umpqua Community College as a junior college transfer. Sawyer has been a valuable member of our team, helping us to many great successes. I will always remember a big 3-pointer she made late in the game at St. Cloud State as a junior, helping us secure that win. Sawyer has been a great teammate, a very coachable player, and a young lady I have enjoyed getting to know these last two years. I am very thankful she is a Marauder and I look forward to seeing her success in the future."
 
Hannah Saliba: "Hannah is a junior college transfer from Saddleback Community College. We recruited Hannah very late in her sophomore year to provide some depth at the post position. Playing behind two very talented players, Hannah's contributions have largely been in the practice setting. However, her constant effort has made her teammates better. Despite an injury-filled senior season, she has still found a way to impact our games and practices. Hannah is often the most vocal player on our bench during games. She is loved by her fellow Marauders. Hannah is a long way from home but she has embraced the University of Mary's culture and excelled in developing meaningful relationships with many people on campus. Her vibrant personality will help her go a long way in life."
 
OPPO RESEARCH – BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY BEAVERS
Bemidji State is 4-20 overall and 3-17 in the Northern Sun (8th NSIC North Division, 13th overall)… Beavers have lost 14 straight games. Only one of the losses was by less than double digits… Only Upper Iowa (22 games) has a longer current losing streak… Fr. G Brooklyn Bachman Bachmann leads BSU and ranks 14th in the NSIC in scoring with 12.9 points per game. Her scoring average per contest is the highest among all freshman in the NSIC. She has scored at least 20 points in six games this season. Bachmann has led BSU scoring during 12 games this season.… Sr. Sierra Senske is the 20^th BSU player to break the 1,000 point barrier for a career. This season she is averages 8.5 ppg and 4.4 rpg… The 10^th head coach in BSU history, Chelsea DeVille has a record of 18-60 in her third season.
 
HISTORY LESSON The Beavers and Marauders began their all-time series Nov. 30, 1984, an 80-75 win by BSU, before taking a 22-year break between meetings… UMary leads the series 19-4, and has won six straight against BSU… The Marauders have swept the season series each of the last two years.
 
LAST MEETING UMary earned a 68-58 road win over Bemidji State on January 20, 2018, outscoring the Beavers 18-8 late in the game. Cassie Askvig posted 22 points and eight rebounds. Lauren Rotunda had 14 points, eight in the final period. Gabbie Bohl added 18 points, eight rebounds and four blocks. Brooklyn Bachmann had 19 and nine for BSU.  
 
OPPO RESEARCH – UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA CROOKSTON GOLDEN EAGLES
Minnesota Crookston is 6-18 overall and 6-14 in the NSIC (7th NSIC North, 12th overall)… The Golden Eagles have lost four straight games, all at home. The four games were also against the top four teams in the NSIC… Five of UMC's six wins have come since New Year's Eve… F/C
Isieoma Odor averages 13.8 ppg and 7.2 rpg. She is 64 points from 1,000 for her career… Sr. G Micaela Noga tallies 12.7 ppg and is 8^th all time at in scoring at UMC… Head coach Mike Roysland in 111-212 in his 12th year with the Golden Eagles.
 
HISTORY LESSON The Marauders are 16-7 against the Golden Eagles since UMary joined the Northern Sun in the 2006-07 season… UMary is 7-4 at home and 9-3 on the road vs. UMC… The Marauders snapped a 5-game losing streak to the Golden Eagles in the last regular season game of last year.
 
LAST MEETING Gabbie Bohl scored 20 points and added six rebounds and three blocks for visiting UMary but a 16-3 run in the 4^th quarter by Minnesota Crookston led the Golden Eagles to an 85-75 win on January 19, 2018. Cassie Askvig had 18 points and Lauren Rotunda ten for UMary. Abby Guidinger scored 22 points for UMC.
 
DOUBLE TROUBLE
Gabbie Bohl (18.1 ppg) and Cassie Askvig (14.0 ppg) combine to average 32.3 ppg, tops among any pair of teammates in the NSIC. Next is Northern State's combo of Miranda Ristau (19.2 ppg) and Jill Conrad (12.1 ppg) at 31.3 ppg.
 
LINE PLAY
Before last weekend, the Marauders had an eight game stretch where UMary hit 80.5 percent (140-of-174) of its free throws. Last weekend UMary struggled, making just 20-of-34 (59 percent) from the line. For the year the Marauders are connecting on 69.6 percent of their free throws for the season, 13^th in the NSIC.
 
DEEEE-FENSE
The Marauders allow 63.2 points/game, 9th in the NSIC. Teams make just 38.7 percent of their shots against UMary, 7th best in the NSIC.
 
DEEEE-FENSE V2
The 38 points the Marauders surrendered to Upper Iowa was the fewest allowed by UMary in an NSIC game since joining the conference in 2006-07. The previous low was 42 at Minnesota Crookston on February 16, 2007, a 62-42 UMary win.
 
PICKPOCKET
UMary averages 5.9 steals/game. Lauren Rotunda is the leader in thievery with 1.5 steals/game, 7th in the league.
 
REJECTION
The Marauders are 3rd in the NSIC in blocked shots at 4.5/game. After four blocks at SMSU, Gabbie Bohl is 9th in the NSIC at 1.4 bpg. Cassie Askvig is close behind in 11th with 1.3 bpg.
 
DOWNTOWN
Averaging 6.7 treys/game, the Marauders are 7th in the NSIC. Sr. G Dani Williams leads UMary with 1.9 made treys/game, 6th in the NSIC.
 
MAC ATTACK
The Marauders are 9-3 at home this season at the McDowell Activity Center.
 
FOUR SCORE
Four Marauders nearly average double digits in points. Gabbie Bohl (18.1 ppg) leads the way, followed by Cassie Askvig (14.0 ppg) and Lauren Rotunda (10 ppg). Dani Williams is at 8.1 ppg.
 
YOUNG
Dani Williams may almost feel out of place in the Marauders starting lineup as the senior guard is the only upperclassmen among the five starters. She is joined by sophomores Gabbie Bohl, Lauren Rotunda and Cassie Askvig and freshman Macy Williams.
 
POWER PLAY
The 2017 NSIC Freshman of the Year and an all-conference second team selection, sophomore post Gabbie Bohl is a dominant force in the middle for the Marauders. The Minot, ND, native is third in the NSIC in scoring (18.1 points per game), 5th in field goal percentage (.514), 9th in rebounding (7.4 rpg) and 9th in blocks (1.4/game)… She just missed her career scoring mark by a point when she posted 30 points at #23 Augustana, making 14-of-17 free throws in the game. Bohl had 21 points the day before at Wayne State… She has scored in double figures in 22 of the 23 games she has played this season… Bohl has five double doubles (24 and 13 vs. Dickinson State / 14 and 10 vs. Minnesota Duluth / 18 and 10 at USF / 17 and 10 at SMSU / 25 and 14 at SCSU) and missed two others by a single rebound.
 
THREE FOR THREE
While her uniform number may be coincidental, senior guard Dani Williams is the Marauders leading 3-point shooter. Williams is shooting 40.9 percent from behind the arc and has knocked down 47 treys this season. Williams is 6th in the NSIC in 3-pointers per game at 1.9 and is 4th in 3-point field goal percentage among players with at least 30 makes.
 
GROWTH
In her first season as a starter, Cassie Askvig is having a tremendous season. The sophomore forward leads the team in rebounds with 8.6 /game (5th in the NSIC). She is second on the squad in blocks (1.4 bpg), scoring (14.0 ppg, 8th in the NSIC), and assists (2.6/game) and third in 3-pointers (32). She is shooting 43.4 percent from the floor and 33.0 percent behind the arc. Askvig scored a career-high 25 points against MSU Moorhead and Minnesota Duluth. She also had career-highs with 18 rebounds and five blocks against the Bulldogs… Askvig was named the NSIC Player of the Week January 2 after averaging 20.5 points, 15.0 rebounds, 4.0 blocks and 2.0 rebounds in a weekend split over Minnesota Duluth and St. Cloud State… She has eight double doubles this season.
 
SOUND ALL-AROUND
A member of the NSIC All-Freshman team last spring, sophomore Lauren Rotunda has taken another step forward this season. The Fargo, ND, native averages 10 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting .376 from the floor and .808 at the free throw line. Rotunda five double doubles this season, including one against Northern State.
 
LISTEN LIVE
University of Mary fans can listen to all Marauders conference games live on Fox Sports 710 as Rick Anthony, the Voice of the Marauders, brings you all the game action. You can also listen live online at www.foxsports710.com. Click the "Listen Live" link to stream the game in real time.
 
ON THE HORIZON
The Marauders open the Northern Sun playoffs on Wednesday, February 21, at a site to be determined.
 
#marauders#