SIOUX FALLS, SD – The University of Mary women's basketball team prepares for the quarterfinals of the NSIC tournament as they challenge the defending national champions Minnesota State University, Mankato, on Sunday, March 2, in Sioux Falls, SD, at the Sanford Pentagon. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:30 pm.

The winner takes on the victor of the Southwest Minnesota State University-Minnesota State University Moorhead matchup in the semifinals on Monday, March 3.

WATCH LIVE OR FOLLOW STATS
Live streaming and live stats for games are available online at www.GoUMary.com/coverage

For more information on the NSIC tournament, fans can go here

THE RECORD
UMary is 16-11 overall this season and 12-10 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. The Marauders finished the season in sixth place in the NSIC standings.  

LAST TIME OUT
The Marauders defeated the University of Minnesota Duluth 64-43 in the first round of the NSIC tournament.

Bergan Kinnebrew scored 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the field and 5-of-5 shooting from the free-throw line. Chloe Pfau had 11 points and six rebounds, shooting 3-of-7 from behind the arc.

STAT LEADERS
Bergan Kinnebrew leads the team in scoring (15.6 ppg). Kinnebrew ranks 8^th in the NSIC in scoring, 4^th in free throw percentage (.837), 17^th in three-pointers made per game (1.4) and 23^rd in steals per game (1.3).

Chloe Pfau leads the team in steals (49) and is the second-leading scorer (8.7 ppg) on the Marauders. Pfau ranks 15^th in the NSIC in three-point field goals made per game (1.6) and 10^th in the NSIC in steals.

Addison Rozell has recorded the most blocks for UMary (42) and is tied for the most rebounds (6.2 rpg). Rozell is 3^rd in the NSIC in blocks per game (1.6) and 15^th in rebounding.

Emily Jaenke leads the team in three-pointers made (49) and three-point percentage (.353). Jaenke is 5^th in the NSIC in three-pointers made per game (2.0).

Moriku Hakim is tied for first on the team in rebounds per game (6.2) off the bench. Hakim ranks 13^th in the NSIC in rebounds per game and 17^th in blocks (17).

Ryleigh Wacha is averaging 8.2 ppg, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. Wacha is 12^th in the NSIC in steals per game (1.6), 20^th in rebounds per game and 25^th in assists per game.

OPPO RESEARCH –MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, MANKATO
MSU is 22-6 overall and 18-4 in the Northern Sun. The Mavericks finished the season third in the NSIC standings. Junior guard Natalie Bremer leads the team in scoring, averaging 20 ppg on .494% shooting from the field. Senior guard Destine Bursch leads MSU in assists (4.0 apg) and is second in scoring (17.2 ppg). Junior forward Ava Stier has the most rebounds (5.9 rpg) on the Mavericks.

COACHING STAFF
Rick Neumann enters his 13th season as the head coach of the UMary women's basketball program. Last season, Neumann passed Fred Fridley for second all-time in program wins this season. Neumann is closing in on 200 wins for his career at UMary amassing 199 wins during his tenure.

Haley Froelich enters her first season as the Marauders assistant coach. Froelich served as the assistant coach at Clarke University for the 2023-24 season, where the Pride went 29-3 and made it to the second round of the NAIA tournament.

WELCOME BACK
The Marauders return two starters from last year's lineup G Ryleigh Wacha and F Addison Rozell both have multiple years of starting experience.

Notable key bench returners include G Bergan Kinnebrew, C Moriku Hakim, G Zoe Velde, G Chloe Pfau and C Cassie Erickson.

Additional returners include C Allison Undlin, G Anna Lenzen and G Emily Jaenke.

NEW
The Marauders add two freshmen guards to their roster Brenna Dick (West Fargo, ND) and Eden Fridley (Bismarck, ND). UMary also added transfer guard Ava Interrante, who spent four seasons at Division I Valparaiso University.

KINNEBREW NAMED MARAUDERS PLAYER TO WATCH IN 2024-25
The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference has announced that Bergan Kinnebrew is the University of Mary women's basketball Player to Watch. Last season, Kinnebrew led the bench unit in scoring, averaging 5.4 ppg on 42.4% shooting from the field as a true freshman. The Bismarck, ND, native looks to increase her production this season in an expanded role after the departure of Lexie Schneider, Megan Zander and Mariah McKeever.

MARAUDERS PROJECTED TO PLACE NINTH IN NSIC PRESEASON COACHES POLL
The NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll projected the Marauders to finish 9th in the conference this season. Last season, UMary took second and made it to the NSIC championship game for the first time in program history.

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