Mavericks secure Summit League tournament bid on senior night
Photo courtesy Omaha Athletics
By Emma Reilly, Contributor
Baxter Arena, Omaha, NE (Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021) - Carrie Banks and company earned their first back-to-back win since November 2019 to secure a bid to Sioux Falls, SD for the Summit League tournament.
It was the last home game for seniors Juliana Chagas, Mikaela Ekdahl, Sophie Johnston and Claire Killian. Killian notched her 900th career point to close the game at 75-72 in the Mavericks’ favor.
Each of the seniors contributed to this crucial win after getting a late start in the first quarter and trailing behind the Fighting Hawks at 22-18. The Hawks pushed for an aggressive offensive, especially through rebounds. UND had an opportunity to pull ahead with free throws after seven Maverick team fouls.
However, an Ekdahl offensive rebound in the first quarter allowed Killian to make a triple giving the Mavs some edge over the Hawks’ fast breaks.
By the second half, Megan Zander scored 10 points for North Dakota. Omaha senior Johnston kept the Mavericks within five with her behind the arc shooting. Omaha ended the half with 13-32 from the floor.
The Mavericks wasted no time scoring in the second half with five points in the coming first 45 seconds of the third quarter, and Killian pulling another triple to tie the game for the first time at 44-44.
Elena Pilakouta gave the Mavs the pull they needed to put them ahead at 46-44 with five minutes left of the third quarter.
It was a back and forth fight to keep the lead until Killian made her fourth triple with one minute left followed by Mariah Murdie driving a layup with the assist from Sarah Schmitt for the Mavs to end the third quarter with a 53-49 lead.
With five minutes left of the game, Killian drained her fifth triple to get her 900th career point, pulling a 60-59 lead over the Hawks.
The Hawks focused on defense, pushing a full-court press versus the Mav zone defense. Johnston took advantage, scoring another triple to put the Mavs ahead, forcing Coach Mallory Bernhard to call a time-out.
Only 23 seconds left in the game, Chagas drew a foul to close the game at 74-69, making both free throws. The game was followed by a senior tribute video from each of the Mavs. This was a much-needed win for Carrie Banks and the Mav program with each of the seniors contributing to lead and punched their ticket into the conference tournament.