BURNSVILLE, MN – Defending NSIC Player of the Year, Cassie Askvig has been selected as the NSIC Marauder to watch for the University of Mary women's basketball team.
 
Askvig dominated the league, averaging 17.5 PPG, 9.3 RPG, and 2.4 assists per game. Cassie Askvig was top five in the league in shooting percentage as well, knocking down 48.9 percent of her shots from the field, 83 percent from the free throw line, and 45.3 percent from three.
 
Standing at 6-2, Askvig recorded nine double-doubles last season, reaching double figure points in 22 of 24 games played. On top of being named NSIC Player of the Year last season, Askvig earned D2CCA First Team All-Central Region honors and honorable mention All-American status from the Division II Bulletin.
 
In the NSIC preseason coaches' poll, the Marauders are projected to finish seventh in the NSIC and fourth in the north division. MSU Moorhead is the favorite to win the conference this year.
 
The University of Mary women's basketball team returns the majority of their team from the 2018-19 campaign. The 2019-20 Marauders feature 15 athletes made up of two seniors, three juniors, seven sophomores, and three freshmen. Six returning Marauders saw playing time in 20 or more games last season with three of those returners being primary starters.
 
Efficiency was key for the Marauders who led or were near the top of the NSIC in several statistical categories. UMary led the conference in both field goal percentage and three-point percentage while having the third most assists per game and the third best rebounding defense in the NSIC.
 
The Marauders will also return one of the top point guards in the NSIC, Macy Williams. Williams ranked third in the conference, averaging 3.7 assists per game. On top of her impressive assist total, the Marauders point guard averaged 10.2 PPG, the third most on the team.
 
Sharpshooter, Coral Gillette will be back for UMary as well. Gillette averaged an NSIC leading 2.5 three pointers per game while shooting 35.9 percent from deep.
 
Lauren Rotunda will be another big addition to UMary. Rotunda was one of the top players in the league her freshman and sophomore season, but an injury sidelined her last season. Rotunda will be ready to roll for the upcoming season.
 
UMary begins regular season play in Los Angeles on Friday, November 1 against MSU Billings. While in LA, the Marauders will play in a trio of games over a three-day period. After their California road trip, UMary will travel to Alva, Oklahoma for a pair of games.

 
The Marauders host their first home game of the season on Tuesday, November 12 at 6 PM against Presentation College. The game against PC will be the start of four straight non-conferences games the Marauders will host in the McDowell Activity Center.

 
UMary begins NSIC play with three straight road games, the first of which is against in-state rivals Minot State on Saturday, November 30 at 3:30 PM.

 
The Marauders host their first NSIC foe on Friday, December 13 when they welcome Minnesota State – Moorhead to town. The Marauders-Dragons matchup will get the MAC rocking with game time set for 5:30 PM.
 
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