BISMARCK, ND – In a weekend series that looks to have huge postseason implications, the University of Mary women's basketball team travels to Wayne, NE, to challenge Wayne State College on Friday, February 23, at 5:30 pm. UMary then heads over to Sioux Falls, SD, to compete against Augustana University on Saturday, February 24, at 3:30 pm.
 
UMary is currently 18-10 overall and 14-6 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. The Marauders sit in a three-way tie for fourth place with St. Cloud State University and Southwest Minnesota State University. UMary can finish as high as second place in the NSIC or as low as sixth place. The Marauders trail Concordia University, St. Paul for third place by 0.5 games. UMary trails Northern State University for second place by one game.
 
If the Marauders were to win both games, it would put UMary in a tremendous position to earn top four in the conference standings. The top four teams in the NSIC receive a bye in the conference championships and advance to the quarterfinals of the tournament at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, SD. Teams that finish five through eight would host a home playoff game on Wednesday, February 28, against teams that finished nine through twelve.
 
FOLLOW LIVE

• Voice of the Marauders Jesse Rostvedt broadcasts all Marauders home games and Northern Sun contests on Fox Sports 710 and online at https://foxsports710.iheart.com/
• Free video streaming of Marauders home and all Northern Sun games is available at https://nsicnetwork.com/goumary and at www.GoUMary.com/coverage
• Live stats for games are available online at www.GoUMary.com/coverage

 
STAT LEADERS

• Lexie Schneider leads UMary and the NSIC in scoring, averaging 20.1 ppg. She also leads the team and conference in rebounding with 9.3 rpg. Schneider is shooting 54.2% from the field and 80.6% from the free-throw line. Schneider ranks first in the NSIC in field goal percentage, 7^th in free-throw percentage, 13^th in assists per game, 11^th in blocks per game, 12^th in minutes per game and 24^th in steals per game.
• Megan Zander leads the team in three-pointers made with 50. Zander is second on the team in scoring, averaging 13.1 ppg and is second on the team in rebounding (5.7 rpg). Zander ranks 14^th in the NSIC in scoring, 17^th in rebounding, 3^rd in free-throw percentage, 4^th in 3-pointers made per game, 19^th in assists per game, 14^th in blocks per game, 20^th in steals per game and 15^th in minutes per game.
• Mariah McKeever is shooting a team-best 41.3% from behind the arc. She is third on the team in scoring, averaging 11.9 ppg. McKeever ranks 21^st in the NSIC in scoring, 8^th in 3-pointers made per game, 22^nd in assists per game, 23^rd in steals per game and 18^th in minutes per game.
• Addison Rozell leads UMary in blocks (32). She ranks 7^th in the conference in blocks per game (1.1 bpg) and is fifth in total blocks.

 
NCAA RANKINGS
Lexie Schneider ranks among the NCAA Division II leaders in several categories:

• 2^nd in free throws made (170)
• 4^th in free throws attempted (211)
• 3^rd in field goals made (197)
• 9^th in scoring (20.1 ppg)
• Tied for 8^th in double-doubles (13)
• 10^th in total rebounds (261)

LAST WEEK
The Marauders went 1-1 in last weekend's home series. UMary fell 53-46 to Concordia University, St. Paul before coming back and defeating University of Minnesota Duluth 80-69.
 
In the win over two-time defending NSIC champion Minnesota Duluth, Megan Zander scored a game-high 26 points. The Mandan, ND, native hit a pair of treys, and added two rebounds and a pair of assists. She was 11-for-18 from the field and made both free throws… Lexie Schneider, the NSIC leader in points and rebounds, scored 25 points on 11-for-17 shooting while making all three of her free throws. The forward from Appleton, WI, hauled down 10 rebounds for her 13th double-double of the season and second of the weekend. She also had five assists and two blocks... Mariah McKeever, a senior from Ada, MN, chipped in 12 points, three rebounds and two assists. Ryleigh Wacha added eight points and nine rebounds. Cadee Ryckman grabbed a pair of rebounds as she joined fellow seniors Zander, Schneider and McKeever in the starting lineup.
 
THE CLIMB
Senior forward Lexie Schneider is leaving her mark on the Marauders program. The native of Appleton, WI, has scored 1,521 points to rank 9th all-time in scoring at UMary. The All-NSIC performer passed Gabbie Bohl (1,444 points in 2016-19)… Next on the list is Sarah Leer (1,618 points in 2000-04)… Schneider is 4th in rebounds with 900. She passed Hannah Larson (872 in 2013-17)… Schneider is 4th in steals in the NCAA era with 126… She currently ranks 7th in blocks with 72.
 
TOP 10 ALL TIME SCORERS IN MARAUDERS HISTORY:

1. Brittney Dietz-1,836 (2012-16)
2. Jessica Zundel-1,824 (2001-05)
3. Betsy Emerson-1,798 (1982-86)
4. Cassie Askvig-1,777 (2016-20)
5. Dawn Schaeffer-1,748 (1979-83)
6. Patti Mercer-1,707 (1983-87)
7. Lisa Maus-1,678 (1996-2000)
8. Sarah Leer-1,618 (2000-04)
9. Lexie Schneider- 1,521 (2018-current)
10. Gabbie Bohl-1,444 (2016-19)

 
ZANDER CLOSING IN ON 1K AT UMARY
Megan Zander, who reached 1,000 career points in her collegiate career earlier this season (including a pair of seasons at the University of North Dakota), is closing in on 1,000 points at UMary alone. Entering the last weekend of the regular season, the Mandan, ND, native has scored 966 career points in 73 games for the Blue & Orange. Between UMary and UND she has totaled 1,349 points.
 
OPPO RESEARCH – WILDCATS
WSC (6-17, 3-17 Northern Sun) is led by senior forward Britney Ho, who leads the team in scoring (12.0 ppg) and rebounding (4.3 rpg). Junior forward Maya Fitzpatrick leads the Wildcats in assists with 2.3 assists per game. Fitzpatrick also averages 9.0 ppg and 3.3 rpg, both second on the team.
 
LAST TIME THEY MEET
UMary was dominant at home against WSC earlier this season, winning 73-40. Lexie Schneider scored 24 points on 8-of-10 shooting from the field while going a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw line.
 
OPPO RESEARCH – VIKINGS
AU (7-17, 6-14 NSIC) is led by senior forward Michaela Jewett, who leads the team in scoring with 15.5 ppg while grabbing 7.0 rebounds per game. Jewett is sixth in the NSIC in scoring. Junior forward Jennifer Aadland leads the Vikings in rebounding (8.0 rpg) while scoring 11.2 ppg. Aadland is third in the NSIC in rebounding. Senior guard Lauren Sees leads AU in assists with 2.6 apg and is second on the team in scoring with 14.5 ppg.
 
LAST TIME THEY MET
UMary fell 68-62 to Augustana at home earlier this season. Lexie Schneider had 25 points and 15 rebounds in the Marauders defeat. Mariah McKeever added 16 points and three assists.
 
SCHNEIDER OWNS FIVE NSIC POTW HONORS FOR 2023-25, EIGHT IN CAREER
Schneider is the fourth women's basketball player to earn five NSIC Player of the Week honors in one season in the past 20 years. Additionally Schneider owns eight NSIC POTW honors in her career. Both are UMary program records.
 
Schneider joins Michelle Bruns (Southwest Minnesota State University  - 2004-05 - 5 Times), Miranda Ristau (Northern State University - 2016-17 - 5 Times & 2017-18 - 6 Times) and Shaunteva Ashley (Augustana - 2014-15 - 7 Times) as only women's basketball players to earn NSIC Women's Player of the Week five or more times in a season in the past 20 years.
 
NORTHERN SUN HISTORY

• In the Northern State away game February 1, Lexie Schneider cracked 1,000 career points in NSIC games, the 30^th player in league history to do. She joins three other Marauders who accomplished this feat – Gabbie Bohl, Cassie Askvig and Brittney Dietz
• Earlier in the year she became the 24^th player to register 500 rebounds in NSIC play, joining teammates Bohl, Askvig and Hannah Larson
• Schneider is only the 11th player in NSIC history with 1,000 points and 500 rebounds in league games, joining former Marauders Bohl and Askvig in that rare club

 
COACHING HISTORY
Head coach Rick Neumann passed Fred Fridley for second all-time in program wins this season1. Neumann earned his 171^st win at Concordia-St. Paul to surpass Fridley, who amassed 170 wins during his UMary tenure. Roger Haug is the all-time leader in wins with 234. Neumann has the most NSIC wins in school history, with 129.
 
1K MILESTONE FOR MCKEEVER
Maraiah McKeever became the 3^rd UMary women's basketball player to crack 1,000 career points when she reached the milestone in the Marauders win at Minot State University. After scoring 875 points in four years at MSU Moorhead, McKeever has scored 332 in 28 games this season at UMary and now has 1,207 in her career. Lexie Schneider and Megan Zander reached 1,000 career points earlier this season. 
 
1,000 POINTS FOR SCHNEIDER, ZANDER
Two Marauders went over 1,000 points in their collegiate careers opening 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 1,521 in 127 games, an average of 12.0 ppg. Schneider is the 22nd UMary player to reach quadruple digits for their career… 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 966 points in 73 games at UMary for 1,349 points.
 
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.
 
SCHNEIDER NAMED 1ST NSIC PLAYER OF THE WEEK OF 2023-24 SEASON
An impressive start out of the gate earned University of Mary forward Lexie Schneider the first Northern Sun Women's Basketball Player of the Week honor awarded for the 2023-24 season. After missing last year to injury, Schneider has led the Marauders in scoring in each of their first five games. At the Central Region Classic last weekend, the senior from Appleton, WI, averaged 22 points and 12 rebounds as the Marauders went 1-1. She had 18 points and 15 rebounds in a 75-73 overtime win against the University of Central Oklahoma. Schnieder followed with 26 points and nine rebounds in a narrow 74-66 loss to Classic host Northeastern State University. Schneider opened the season with 23 points in an 81-67 win over #19 Angelo State at the D2SSA Women's Basketball Tip Off. She eclipsed 1,000 career points in game two against #16 MSU Billings while scoring 23 points. In a game three loss to #24 Texas Woman's she scored 20 points. Over the course of the first five games of the season Schneider has scored 20 or more points four times. She averages 22.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 53.7% from the floor and 88.4% at the free throw line. The 2021-22 All-Northern Sun performer has now captured NSIC Player of the Week honors three times in her career.
 
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.
 
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