ST. GEORGE, Utah- This year's edition of the Colorado Mesa women's basketball program will begin the 2018-2019 season this Friday and Saturday in St. George, Utah at the Dixie State Tournament. The Mavericks will face Saint Martin's University on Friday Nov 16 at 3 pm and then take on Western Oregon University on Saturday Nov 17 at 3pm. Both of these teams come from the Great Northwest Atlantic Conference.

What to Expect

Three Mavericks will suit up as seniors on this year's team. Karina Brandon will return to this year's squad for her final season as a Maverick. The transfer from Salt Lake CC started 28 games last season and produced 6.7 points per gamer while shooting an efficient 47.8 percent from the field.

Also returning to this year's team is Jaylyn Duran. The Pueblo, Colo. native started all 29 games for the Mavericks last season and was a  Second Team All-RMAC selection a year ago. This year she was the only Maverick named to the 2018-2018 All-RMAC preseason team.

The final senior returning to this year's team is red-shirt senior Kelli Van Tassel. She started every game last year and averaged 3.5 points and grabbed 3.3 rebound per contest.

The Mavericks added three freshmen to this year's Maverick team. The freshmen include Azlynn Brandenburg, Kelsey Higginson, and Natalie Bartle.

When asked about what fans can expect from this year's team head coach Taylor Wagner said, "I'm really excited to see our student-athletes compete this year. I think one difference fans might see this year is our pace of play. We really want to extend our defense and see if it will create more offensive opportunities."

Wagner is beginning his seventh season as head coach for the Mavericks women's basketball program.  During his helm he has finished in the top two of the RMAC four out of the six years with three of those years being first place finishes.

Last season the Mavericks went 19-10 overall and 13-9 in RMAC finishing seventh overall. In this year's preseason coaches poll the Mavericks were picked to finish seventh again.

About Saint Martin's University

The Saints will enter this game with a 1-0 record after defeating Pacific Lutheran University 71-63. During that contest the Saints shot 36% from the field and grabbed 53 rebounds. Two players scored 20 points in their first victory of the season.

Following their game against the Mavericks on Friday they will face Dixie State on Saturday at 12 pm.

About Western Oregon University

The wolves of Western Oregon University are still in search of their first win for the 2018-2019 season. They have fallen twice so far starting the season 0-2. They lost to California State University East Bay 47-51 and Academy of Art 65-77.

The Wolves will play Dixie State University on Friday at 5 pm before their contest with the Mavericks on Saturday at 3pm.

To follow the Mavericks in their first game of the season follow the link below. 

Video: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/dixiestate/