FOND DU LAC - Wis. - The University of Dubuque women's basketball team jump started their season with a impressive 82-41 road victory over Marian University on Tuesday. The Spartans were led in scoring with
Breanna Miller, who came off the bench, to end the night with 14 points trailed closely by
Miah Smith who had 13 points and six rebounds and newcomer
Lauren Livingston who had 11 points in her collegiate debut. Starters
Tabria Thomas and
Kathleen Mathias just missed double digit scoring with nine points each.
UD saw 15 Spartans enter the game and 13 entered the scoring column by the end of the contest to finish their first game with a very balance attack. The Spartans sank 30-68 attempts from the field (44.1%), 7-18 from the three point area (38.9%), and made 15-23 free throw attempts (65.2%). UD out rebounded the hosts 48-38 and forced Marian into committing 28 turnovers,
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"We talked about getting out to a fast start and the team did just that," commented head coach
Justin Smith. "I'm very happy with the leadership and performance of our team. I look forward to continue to grow as the season goes."
Results of the American Rivers Conference's Women's Basketball Preseason Poll (as voted on by the league's head coaches):Â
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| 2021-22 American Rivers Conference Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll |
| Rank |
 School (1st place votes) |
Points |
2020-21 Record |
| 1. |
  Simpson (6) |
61 |
12-0, 8-0 A-R-C (A-R-C Champions)Â |
| 2. |
 Wartburg (2) |
56 |
13-3, 6-2 A-R-CÂ Â |
| 3. |
 Loras (1) |
53 |
6-7, 3-5 A-R-CÂ Â |
| 4. |
 Central |
40 |
6-4, 5-3 A-R-CÂ Â |
| 5. |
 Coe |
36 |
9-4, 6-2 A-R-CÂ Â |
| 6. |
 Dubuque |
32 |
6-7, 5-3 A-R-CÂ Â |
| 7. |
 Luther |
21 |
1-10, 0-8 A-R-CÂ Â |
| 8. |
 Nebraska Wesleyan |
13 |
1-8, 1-7 A-R-CÂ Â |
| 9. |
 Buena Vista |
12 |
2-7, 2-6 A-R-CÂ Â |
The 2021-22 American Rivers Conference schedule begins on Tuesday, November 23 with six of the nine schools competing. Simpson College will travel to Dubuque for a match-up with Loras College, the University of Dubuque is set to host Wartburg, and Luther College will host Coe College.
On Wednesday, December 1, the final three teams start their conference slate of games. Buena Vista is hosting Dubuque and Central is set to host Nebraska Wesleyan University.
The American Rivers Conference season is a 16-game double round-robin schedule finishing on Saturday, February 19. The league's top six teams from the regular season standings qualify for the A-R-C Tournament. The Conference Tournament will be held Tuesday, February 22 (First Round), Thursday, February 24 (Semifinals), and Saturday, February 26 (Championship). Game locations for the A-R-C Tournament are at the higher seeded team's venue. The American Rivers Conference Tournament champion receives the league's automatic qualifier to the NCAA Division III tournament.
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University of Dubuque
Head Coach:Â Justin Smith (2nd season)
2020-21 Record: 6-7 overall, 5-3 A-R-C
2020-21 Conference Finish:Â 5th
Returning All-Conference:Â Tabria Thomas (First-Team), Miah Smith (Honorable Mention)
Starters Returning:Â 4
Starters Lost:Â 1
Justin Smith -Â "We are really looking forward to our continued growth as a team and to compete in one of the toughest DIII conferences in the country." |
| Players to Watch: |
*Conference Only Statistics (8-game schedule) |
| Allison Bailey - Forward (Sr.) |
10.0-ppg // 48.9-fg% // 78.9-FT% // 5.17-rpg // 8-stls // 9-blks |
| Karsen Kershner - Forward (So.) |
4.38-ppg // 3.38-rpg // 8-blks |
| Kathleen Mathias - Guard (Jr.) |
5.50-ppg // 21-ast // 14-stls |
| Breanna Miller - Forward (So.) |
1.20-ppg // 12.9-fg% |
| Miah Smith - Forward (Sr.) |
8.43-ppg // 6.14-rpg // 15-stls // 5-blks |
| Tabria Thomas - Guard (Jr.) |
13.38-ppg // 52.3-fg% // 57.1-3pt% // 6.25-rpg // 27-stls // 5-blks |
