LOS ANGELES, CA – The University of Mary women's basketball team is west coast bound to open regular season play. The Marauders will kick off the season with a trio of games at the CCA Division II Tipoff in Los Angeles, CA. UMary takes on Montana State – Billings in their first matchup of the season on Friday, November 1 at 12:45 PM. They will follow that up with a game against Simon Fraser University on Saturday, November 2 at 10:30 AM. The Marauders conclude the Tipoff tournament on Sunday, November 3 at 10:30 AM when they battle #17 West Texas A&M.
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.
Last season, UMary went 17-9, finishing conference play with a 15-7 record. This season, the Marauders will play a total of 31 games. Five more than they did last season.
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 be led my Cassie Askvig. The Marauders senior averaged 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.
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.
MSU Billings finished last season with a 12-14 record. The team was led by Hannah Collins who averaged 14.8 PPG and 3.4 assists per game. Taryn Shelley led the team in rebounding with 8.2/game. Both will be back this season.
Simon Fraser finished last season with a 17-11 record. The Clan graduated their leaders in points, rebounds, and assists. Jessica Jones will lead the team this season, coming off 12.4 PPG last season.
West Texas A&M finished last season with a 29-4 record. An impressive 2018-19 performance has earned the Buffs a #17 ranking in the preseason rankings. Lexy Hightower led the Buffs in scoring with 16.2 PPG last season. She will be back to lead the team again this year.
After their California road trip, UMary will travel to Alva, Oklahoma for a pair of games. The Marauders will then return home for four straight home contests.
#Marauders#
