THIS WEEK
It's another busy weekend for the University of Mary women's basketball team. After playing three nationally-ranked teams in Billings, MT, to open the regular season just a week ago, the Marauders now compete in the Central Region Challenge on February 10-11 in Tahlequah, OK. The Marauders first face the University of Central Oklahoma on Friday, Nov. 10, at 1 pm in a neutral site game. In game two UMary faces tourney host Northeastern State University at 5:30 pm on Saturday, Nov. 11.
 
CENTRAL REGION CHALLENGE DETAILS
The Central Region Challenge features men's and women's basketball teams from all three conferences that comprise the NCAA Central Region – the NSIC (Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference), the MIAA (Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association) and the GAC (Great American Conference). Northeastern State University (MIAA) in Tahlequah, OK, hosts the University of Mary (NSIC), University of Central Oklahoma (MIAA) and Northwestern Oklahoma State University (GAC). Each school's men's and women's teams will each play two games.  
 
FOLLOW LIVE
Links to stats and the webcasts from the Central Region Challenge are available at www.goumary.com/coverage (NOTE: The webcasts for the Central Region Challenge are pay per view).
THE RECORD
The Marauders are 1-2 after a pair of games at the D2CCA Women's Tip Off Classic in Billings, MT.
 
LAST WEEKEND
Fueled by a trio of all-conference performers, the University of Mary women's basketball team overpowered #19 Angelo State University 81-67 in the Marauders season opener in the D2CCA Women's Basketball Tip Off Classic at the Trailhead. Lexie Schneider, Megan Zander and Mariah McKeever combined to score 56 points for the Marauders. Schneider was 13-of-15 at the free throw line and scored 23 points. Megan Zander hit four treys and scored 21 points. McKeever added 12 points in her UMary debut… On Day Two, Lexie Schneider against scored 23 points in a 77-51 loss to host school and 16^th ranked MSU Billings. Ashton Kinnebrew added nine points… Schneider again led UMary in scoring with 20 points as the Marauders suffered a narrow 73-69 loss to #24 Texas Woman's University. The Marauders had a pair of chances to tie the game in the last minute. Zandr added 13 points, McKeever 11 and Moriku Hakim had 10.
 
1,000 POINTS FOR SCHNEIDER, ZANDER
Two Marauders went over 1,000 points in their collegiate careers last weekend… Lexi Schneider cracked 1,000 career points in the second game of the season. In her fifth season playing for the Marauders the All-Northern Sun forward has scored 1,023 in 102 games, an average of 10.2 ppg. Schneider is the 22^nd UMary player to reach quadruple digits for their career and now ranks 21^st all-time… Megan Zander cracked 1,000 points in the season opener. The Mandan native scored 383 points at the University of North Dakota over two seasons before transferring to UMary. In her third season with the Marauders, Zander has scored 636 points in 48 games at UMary. Between the two programs Zander has totaled 1,019 points in her college career.
 
MARAUDERS MEMOS

• After missing the 2022-23 season with injury, All-Northern Sun post Lexie Schneider had an explosive start to the new season. She scored 23 points in each of the first two games and added 20 in game three. Over the three games – all against nationally-ranked opponents - the senior averaged 22.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game while shooting 55% from the field and 88% at the line (22-of-25).
• Megan Zander had a strong start to the season and averaged 12.3 ppg at the D2CCA Tip Off Classic. The senior averaged 4.3 rpg and made 8-of-10 free throws.
• Mariah McKeever made an immediate impact on the Marauders, scoring 12 points in a win over #19 Angelo State. The senior guard averaged 10 ppg for the weekend and delivered a team-best 4.0 assists/game.
• Ashton Kinnebrew had a strong start for UMary. The Bismarck, ND, native scored 11 points in the opening win over the#19 Rambelles and had nine points against the #16 Yellowjackets.
• A balanced Marauders roster featured 10 players averaging 10 minutes a game for UMary after opening weekend.
• Four players made their Marauders debut in Billings: Sr. G Mariah McKeever, Jr. G Ashton Kinnebrew, Fr, G Bergan Kinnebrew and Fr. G Chloe Pfau.

 
LAST YEAR
The Marauders finished the 2022-23 season 14-13 overall and 12-10 in the NSIC (3rd NSIC North, 6th overall)… The Marauders won an opening game in the NSIC tournament for a second straight season to advance to the conference quarterfinals.
 
MARAUDERS PROJECTED TO PLACE THIRD IN NSIC PRESEASON COACHES POLL
A veteran University of Mary squad is picked to finish third overall in the 2023-24 Northern Sun Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll. Featuring a lineup that includes a trio of All-NSIC performers and five players who have started in the league, the Marauders earned 162 points in the coaches' poll. Minnesota State earned all but one first place ballot and accumulated 196 points in the poll. Defending league champion Minnesota Duluth was second with 165 points, just ahead of UMary in the 15-team league.
 
ZANDER NAMED MARAUDERS PLAYER TO WATCH IN 2023-24
All-conference guard Megan Zander is the Marauders NSIC Player to Watch. Zander earned 2022-23 1st team All-NSIC honors after leading the Marauders in scoring at 14.7 ppg in her second season at UMary. The senior from Mandan, ND, hauled down 5.4 rebounds, connected for 37 treys and shot 87.8% at the free throw line. She reached double digits in points in 22 games, scored 20+ points five times and had a pair of double doubles.
 
SCHNEIDER BACK TO CENTER ATTACK
After missing last year with an injury, 2022 All-NSIC center Lexie Schneider returns to the court. In 2021-22 Schneider averaged a team-leading 14.2 points per game and shot 54% from the floor. She also had seven double doubles and averaged 8.3 rebounds per game. The 2-time NSIC North Player of the Week led the league in shooting, was second in rebounding and 12th in scoring.
 
WELCOME ABOARD, MATEY
Mariah McKeever joins the Marauders as a graduate transfer after the guard earned NSIC 2nd team honors last season at MSU Moorhead. She averaged 15.5 ppg and 6.8 rpg in 2022-23.
 
WELCOME BACK

• A 2-year starter at guard, Ryleigh Wacha is back for her junior season. Wacha averaged 8.7 ppg and 4.8 rpg and was second in assists with 59 last year.
• Addison Rozell started at forward last season. The junior averaged 8.6 ppg and 5.5 rpg while leading the squad with 21 blocks.
• Junior Moriku Hakim was a key reserve last season in the post. She averaged 9.0 ppg and 4.8 rpg and shot a stellar 54.5% from the field.
• Zoe Velde returns for her junior year at guard. She played all 27 games last year, including a handful of starts. She averaged 2.7 ppg and 2.8 RPG and was 3rd in steals (28) and 4th in assists (61).
• Additional returners include senior G Cadee Ryckman, junior G Ellie Hasz and C Cassie Erickson

 
NEW
 In addition to Mariah McKeever, other newcomers include junior G Ashton Kinnebrew and freshmen G Chloe Pfau, G Bergan Kinnebrew, G Anna Lenzen, G Emily Jaenke and C Allison Undlin.
 
NSIC CHANGEUP
With the departure of Upper Iowa University, the NSIC is now a 15-team league. The NSIC regular season championship will be based on the 22-game schedule. Each team will play eight teams twice and another six teams once. An NSIC Champion will be awarded to the team with the highest win percentage in the 22 games played. The 12-team NSIC Women's Basketball Tournament Quarterfinals, Semifinals and Championships are set to take place March 2-5 at the Sanford Health Pentagon in Sioux Falls, SD. The top four seeds will receive a first-round bye. First round games will be played on campus on Wednesday, February 28.
 
HOME OPENER
The Marauders host Black hills State University for UMary's home opener on Tuesday, November 14. Game time is 6 pm at the McDowell Activity Center.
 
#marauders#