SIOUX FALLS, SD – For this first time in program history, the University of Mary women's basketball team earned the number two seed in the 2024 NSIC Women's Basketball Tournament and received a bye to the quarterfinals at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, SD, on Saturday, March 2, at 7 pm.

UMary (20-10 overall, 16-6 Northern Sun) will take on the winner of the St. Cloud State University-Minot State University opening round matchup set for Wednesday, February 28.

The Marauders recorded their first 20-win season since the 2019-20 season with the win. UMary also put up the most NSIC conference wins in program history with 16, as the previous record was 15 several times, a mark last reached in the 2019-20 season.

LIVE AUDIO
UMary fans can listen to Voice of the Marauders Jesse Rostvedt call all the action live on Fox Sports 710.

LIVE STREAM
All rounds of the NSIC Women's Basketball Tournament played at the Sanford Pentagon will air exclusively live on Midco Sports and Midco Sports Plus (Pay Per View).  Midco subscribers can view games either on Midco Sports channel 622 or stream via Midco Sports Plus. Fans that do not have Midco Sports must subscribe to Midco Sports Plus to view contests (available via web browser, via Android or IOS app or on Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Roku). A monthly subscription will give fans full access to all 14 NSIC tournament games played at the Sanford Pentagon. Fans would also have access to all Midco Sports Plus content during the duration of their subscription. Subscriptions are for 30 days from the date of registration and can be cancelled at any time. Midco Sports Plus is a standalone product and fans do not need to have any other Midco services.

A monthly subscription to Midco Sports Plus is $9.99 per month, plus applicable taxes. Subscriptions will automatically renew until canceled. An annual subscription is $79.99 per year.

(Please note the NSIC quarterfinals, semifinals and championship games ARE NOT available on the NSIC Network)

LIVE STATS
Live stats for games are available online at www.GoUMary.com/coverage

TICKETS
Tickets are on sale now for the 2024 NSIC Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament scheduled for March 2-5 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, as the league celebrates its 25th tournament. Fans can purchase their tickets by visiting https://www.ticketmaster.com/ or by going to the Sanford Pentagon box office.

HISTORY IN THE NSIC TOURNAMENT

• UMary has an overall record of 7-11 in the NSIC Tournament
• Overall record of 7-4 in the opening round (5-1 at home, 1-3 on the road, 1-0 neutral)
• UMary is 5-1 at home in the opening round (W 80-78 v BSU 2008, W 76-67 v WSU in 2012, W 84-62 v UIU in 2013, W 72-66 v WSU in 2014, L 64-59 to WSU in 2017, W 84-74 v SMSU in 2020)
• Advanced to NSIC second round seven times (L 70-58 to WSC in 2008 semifinals, L 78-67 to Augie in 2012, L 74-59 to Augie (home game) in 2013, L to Minnesota State 95-71 in 2014, L 81-59 to Minnesota State in 2020, L 87-60 to Minnesota Duluth in 2022, L 81-66 to Minnesota State)

STAT LEADERS
Lexie Schneider leads UMary and the NSIC in scoring, averaging 20.4 ppg. She also leads the team and conference in rebounding with 9.2 rpg. Schneider is shooting 54.2% from the field and 81.7% from the free-throw line. Schneider ranks first in the NSIC in field goal percentage, 6th in free-throw percentage, 12th in assists per game, 10th in blocks per game, 12th in minutes per game and 23^rd in steals per game.

Megan Zander leads the team in three-pointers made with 53. Zander is second on the team in scoring, averaging 13.1 ppg and is second on the team in rebounding (5.9 rpg). Zander ranks 16th in the NSIC in scoring, 15th in rebounding, 6th in 3-pointers made per game, 21^st in assists per game, 13th in blocks per game, 21^st in steals per game and 14^th in minutes per game.

Mariah McKeever is shooting a team-best 41.1% from behind the arc. She is third on the team in scoring, averaging 12.1 ppg. McKeever ranks 23^rd in the NSIC in scoring, 3rd in free-throw percentage, 9th in 3-pointers made per game, 25^th in assists per game and 17^th in minutes per game.

Addison Rozell leads UMary in blocks (35). She ranks 7th in the conference in blocks per game (1.2 bpg) and is fifth in total blocks.

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

• 2nd in free throws made (188)
• 3rd in free throws attempted (230)
• 4th in field goals made (212)
• 6th in scoring (20.4 ppg)
• Tied for 8th in double-doubles (14)
• 12th in total rebounds (261)

LAST WEEK
The Marauders picked up two huge victories in last weekend's road series. UMary took down Wayne State College 68-63 and defeated Augustana University 72-54.

Megan Zander recorded her second double-double of the season against WSC, scoring 16 points while securing 11 rebounds. The Mandan, ND, native played a big role in the Marauders defense, grabbing two steals and delivering a huge block with 15 seconds left to help seal a UMary victory. The NSIC's leading scorer, Lexie Schneider, was hampered by foul trouble but was still able to post 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting. The senior tied her season high in blocks with three before she fouled out with 1:18 remaining in the game. Mariah McKeever scored 16 points, shooting a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line. Bergen Kinnebrew posted 12 points off the bench as she shot 3-of-6 from the field while going flawless from behind the three-point line (2-of-2) and at the free throw line (4-of-4).

In the win over AU, Schneider showcased why she's the NSIC's leading scorer and rebounder, posting her 14th double-double of the season with 32 points and 12 rebounds. The Appleton, WI, native shot 8-of-17 from the field and 16-of-17 from the free throw line. Mariah McKeever posted 16 points while grabbing six rebounds. McKeever shot 2-of-3 from three and a perfect 6-of-6 from the line. Megan Zander scored 10 points and brought down five rebounds. Ryleigh Wacha recorded eight points and seven rebounds while shooting 3-of-5 from the field. Addison Rozell did not score but grabbed a season-high 11 rebounds while dishing out five assists.

SCHNEIDER OWNS SIX NSIC POTW HONORS FOR 2023-24, NINE IN CAREER
For the sixth time this season, Lexie Schneider earned Northern Sun Women's Basketball Player of the Week honors after leading the University of Mary women's basketball team to a weekend sweep and earning the second seed in the 2024 NSIC Championships.

Schneider is just the third women's basketball player to earn five NSIC Player of the Week honors in one season in the past 20 years. This is the ninth time in her career that Schneider was named NSIC Player of the Week. She has earned the most Northern Sun weekly citations in program history.

THE CLIMB
Senior forward Lexie Schneider is leaving her mark on the Marauders program. The native of Appleton, WI, has scored 1,569 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 915. She passed Hannah Larson (872 in 2013-17)… Schneider is 4th in steals in the NCAA era with 128… She currently ranks tied for 5th in blocks with 76.

TOP 10 ALL TIME SCORERS IN MARAUDERS HISTORY:
Brittney Dietz-1,836 (2012-16)
Jessica Zundel-1,824 (2001-05)
Betsy Emerson-1,798 (1982-86)
Cassie Askvig-1,777 (2016-20)
Dawn Schaeffer-1,748 (1979-83)
Patti Mercer-1,707 (1983-87)
Lisa Maus-1,678 (1996-2000)
Sarah Leer-1,618 (2000-04)
Lexie Schneider- 1,569 (2018-current)
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 NSIC basketball tournament, the Mandan, ND, native has scored 992 career points in 75 games for the Blue & Orange. Between UMary and UND she has totaled 1,375 points.

OPPO RESEARCH – BEAVERS
MSU (10-21, 7-15 Northern Sun) is led by junior guard Sydney Gustavsson, who leads the team in scoring with 12.3 ppg. Sophomore forward Lorelei McIver leads the Beavers in rebounding with 4.5 rebounds per game while scoring 6.7 ppg. Sophomore guard Vilborg Jonsdottir leads MSU in assists, averaging 3.1 assists per game which ranks seventh in the NSIC.

LAST TIME THEY MEET
The Marauders have defeated the Beavers both times the teams have faced off. UMary won 75-67 on the road before dominating MSU 80-47 at home.

OPPO RESEARCH – HUSKIES
SCSU (17-9, 14-8 NSIC) is led by sophomore guard Jada Eggebrecht, who leads the team in scoring (11.7 ppg) and three-pointers made (37). Sophomore forward Ashley Sawicki leads the Huskies in rebounding (7.0 rebounds per game) and blocks (33). Sawicki is second on the team in scoring with 11.0 ppg. Dru Henning leads SCSU in assists (2.7 apg) and averages 6.4 ppg.

LAST TIME THEY MET
The Marauders failed to defeat the Huskies both times they played this season, due to a stifling defensive effort by SCSU. UMary fell 60-53 at home and 58-45 on the road.

NORTHERN SUN HISTORY

• In the Northern State away game February 1, Lexie Schneider cracked 1,000 career points in NSIC games, the 30th player in league history to do. She joins three other Marauders who accomplished this feat – Gabbie Bohl, Cassie Askvig and Brittney Dietz
• Erlier in the year she became the 24th 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 171st 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 3rd 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 30 games this season at UMary and now has 1,232 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 1,569 in 129 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 992 points in 73 games at UMary for 1,375 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.

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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