LAST TIME OUT: The University of Mary women's basketball struggled out of Christmas break dropping a pair of NSIC contests against Augustana and Wayne State. Riddle with turnovers and missed opportunities the Marauders fell to the Vikings 88-76. The following night U-Mary was doomed by slow start and late game turnovers as it fell 75-67 to Wayne State.
 
This weekend U-Mary will look to rebound as it makes its longest road trip of the season traveling to Winona State on Friday and Upper Iowa on Saturday.
 
The Records: U-Mary is 5-6 so far this season and 3-5 in NSIC play. The Marauders have a 2-3 record at home. Winona State is 8-4 overall and 4-4 in NSIC play. The Warriors hold a perfect 7-0 record on their home court. Upper Iowa is 4-8 overall and 3-5 in NSIC play. The Peacocks are 4-1 so far at home this season.
 
Follow along with all of this weekend's live coverage at goumary.com/coverage. There will be live video, audio and stats available for both games. For those in the Bismarck area the radio coverage for both games will also be broadcast on Bismarck's ESPN 710 AM.
 
The Series: Since joining the NSIC, U-Mary 5-7 overall against Winona State and 4-7 in conference contests. The Marauders have won the last three game in the series, but are 0-5 against the Warriors on the road. In that same time frame U-Mary is 10-2 against Upper Iowa and 9-2 in conference contests. The Marauders have won the last eight contests and are 3-2 in games played at the Peacocks home court.
 
Last season's meetings: Sparked by a 17-2 first half run, U-Mary defeated Winona State 74-62 in 2013.  Four different players scored in double figures for the Marauders including  Lindsey Sand with 11. U-Mary defeated Upper Iowa twice, one of which was an opening round playoff victory. In an 85-76 win in the regular season the Marauders struggled to shoot the ball, but were led by the all-around performance of Shaunna Knife who finished with 14 points, 15 rebounds, five blocks and four assists. In its playoff meeting with Upper Iowa, U-Mary cruised to an 84-62 win as Ali Collins and Shaunna Knife both notches their 1,000 career point in the game.
 
Last Season's Finish: U-Mary finished the 2012-13 season with a 19-11 record overall and a 13-9 conference record, which was good for 5th place overall in the NSIC. Winona State was 21-11 overall and tied with U-Mary at 13-9 in NSIC play. Upper Iowa struggled last season with a 7-23 record overall and a 4-18 mark in conference play.
 
Winona State's success has been keyed by its stifling defense that ranks ninth in the country in scoring at 55.4 points per game. The Warriors rank  first in the conference in field goal defense at 35.6 percent and third in three point defense at 27.8 percent. Holding Winona State back has been its lack of offensive firepower. The Warriors rank 15th in the NSIC with just 62.5 points per game while ranking 11th in both field goal shooting (40.7) and three-point shooting (32.1). Individually Abby Busch leads WSU averaging 16.5 points per game and 7.3 rebounds.
 
Upper Iowa's struggles have been caused on both ends of the floors. The Peacocks rank 14th in the NSIC in scoring offense at 64.6 points per game and 11th in scoring defense at 71.4 points per game. UIU ranks 9th in shooting percentage at 41.6 percent and 15th in field goal defense at 44.6. The Peacocks are last in the conference with 19.1 turnovers per game, but rank first in rebounding margin at +6.4. Whitney Kieffer's individual effort has kept UIU competitive in conference play with her 17.6 points per game and 5.3 rebounds.
 
Next Week U-Mary will begin a four game home stand as it hosts St. Cloud State and Minnesota Duluth in a pair of NSIC rematches.
 
Alumni Weekend/3-on-3 Tourney: The U-Mary men's and women's basketball teams will be holding alumni weekend January 24-25. Instead of holding an alumni game, the Marauders will be hosting a 3-on-3 tournament to benefit former players Nate and Karie Welstad, whose newborn son, Karson, is facing medical complications. For more information or to register a team go to goumary.com/3on3.

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