The Omaha Mavericks finishes the season on a disappointing note ending the season with an 8-23 record overall and a 4-14 conference record which includes tournament games. Omaha came to Sioux Falls as the 9 seed with no expectations to even make a run or be competitive in the Summit League Women’s Basketball Tournament. Omaha took on 8 seed Kansas City in the play in round where a few weeks prior Kansas City blew out Omaha 72-56. It was thought Omaha wanted to lose that game intentionally knowing a rematch was going to happen in Sioux Falls in the 8/9 play-in game. Omaha did finish the regular season on a high note by beating St. Thomas who was the 5 seed in the Summit League Tournament 79-62. In that game, it was senior night and Polina Nikulochkina led the way with 20 points, Aaliyah Stanley had 18 points, Deanay Watson had 12 points, Grace Cave with 9, and Katie Keitges with 5. This showed people Omaha was a better team than they were.
In the play-in game in Sioux Falls against Kansas City, Omaha went out to a fast start and scored 21 points in the first quarter while Kansas City scored 15 points. The second quarter was a sickos committee like game. Both teams were held scoreless for 3-5 minutes and the only points for a while were free throws. Omaha led at the half 28-23. In the third quarter Omaha scored 15 points and Kansas City scored 14 points and Omaha led 43-37 at the end of three quarters. In the fourth quarter, Omaha and Kansas City each scored 18 points and at one point Omaha led by 10 points. Kansas city would cut the lead to just two points thinking Omaha might blow another huge lead. Four clutch free throws by Morgan Gardner sealed the victory for the Mavericks as they won 61-55. Polina Nikulochkina led the way with 17 points, Grace Cave, Aaliyah Stanley each had 9 points, Katie Keitges, Deanay Watson each had 6 points, and Kennedi Grant had 8 points. Omaha would then advance to the Summit League Quarterfinals as they took on 1 seed and Summit League Powerhouse South Dakota State Jackrabbits.
In the quarterfinal matchup, it was a game dominated by South Dakota State fans but Omaha hung in there as tight as they can. Summit League player of the year Brooklyn Meyer for South Dakota State got into foul trouble very early with 2 quick fouls forcing her to sit on the bench majority of the first half which threw off South Dakota State’s game plan. Omaha only trailed South Dakota State 17-12 at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter South Dakota State really struggled shooting the basketball by only scoring 9 points and Omaha was able to score 17 points. Omaha had the lead at halftime leading 29-26. In the third quarter, South Dakota State would turn things on and Omaha did not have any answers at all and Omaha could not capitalize on mistakes South Dakota State made. Paige Meyer would take over and started to make several shots including the three pointer. South Dakota State would lead Omaha 46-41. In the fourth quarter, Omaha got within one point with 6 minutes to go but would never get as close. South Dakota State would then get hot from the three point line and Omaha would have no response and Omaha would fall to South Dakota State 66-53 ending Omaha’s season. South Dakota State’s defense was key this game forcing missed shots by Omaha as well as turnovers such as numerous travel violations. Aaliyah Stanley led the way for Omaha with 14 points, Grace Cave with 12 points, Polina Nikulochkina with 8 points, Katie Keitges with 6 points, and Deanay Watson with 5 points.
Omaha would lose at least two of their players due to eligibility running out graduate students Aaliyah Stanley and Deanay Watson. The following seniors can return to the Omaha Women’s Basketball program for one more season if they choose to due to the COVID year Polina Nikulochkina, Ana Nikulochkina, and Katie Keitges. Another factor will be who enters the transfer portal this offseason and who Omaha picks up from the transfer portal and recruiting.