Jason Walker, University of Providence Sports Information
GREAT FALLS, Mont. - The University of Providence women have already traveled this season to Mexico, Washington, Bozeman, Billings and Missoula. This weekend, the team will mark Arizona off its to do list when the Argos play two games in the desert Friday and Saturday.
Friday, the Argos take on Park University-Gilbert in Mesa in the first-ever meeting between the schools. The Buccaneers are 2-2 overall and play in the Cal-Pac conference. The Bucs have played Division I Utah Valley as well as Northern Arizona, falling by five to Utah Valley, 59-54 and losing at NAU 111-44.
Park Gilbert is led by Senior Macy Markus who is averaging 17.3 points while shooting just over 36% from the field. Markus put up 35 in a game against UC-Merced earlier this year. Kayla Schroeder, a 5-10 sophomore, is scoring 16.3 per game and makes over 57 percent from the floor and has a season-high of 24 points and a 23-point effort this season.
Jayla Reliford runs the offense averaging 5.5 assists per game and has an 11-1 assist to turnover ratio. Madison Chappell averages 8.8 rebounds per game. The Bucs will be the best NAIA rebounding team the Argos have faced this season. Park Gilbert averages 42.3 boards while allowing 33. Providence has outrebounded its opponents through ten games by an average of 44.9-28.
The Buccaneers also outscore the opponent by more than 10 points per game. The Argos are outscoring their opponents by more than 11 each night. Maddy Dixon paces UP at 13.6 PPG and is shooting nearly 56% for the year.
Saturday, the Argos (8-2, 1-1) will take on SAGU (Southwestern Assemblies of God University) Indian College in Phoenix. The Warriors are 1-8 overall and have been outscored by nearly 25 points per contest. Sophomore Christin Bahe averages 14.1 ppg to lead the team which is also being outrebounded by more than 20 boards per night.
Friday's game against Park Gilbert tips off at 5:30 PM MST. Saturday's game at SAGU Indian College starts at 12 PM MST. Both games will be available at www.upargos.com.
