Waukesha, Wis. – The Carroll University women's basketball team begins their 2020-21 season on Saturday in Bloomington, Ill. against the Titans of Illinois Wesleyan at 2 PM.
 
By returning much of their program, and adding four new freshmen faces, this Pioneer group is ready to show their growth from a year ago, "The team has really grown this past year through commitment and buying into our program and style of play," said senior guard Emily Majerus, "This is a special group of women who are very talented, but the hard work and dedication to getting better every day is what will set us apart."
 
"Our upperclassmen have come into this season showing impressive leadership skills that allowed this team to bond early on in the season," said Head Coach Lindsay Schultz on the upperclassmen "Our upperclassmen have really set the tone with outlining our standards and promoting our team culture."
 
The Pioneers posted the highest points per game scoring and scoring margin since coach Schultz's arrival in 2016. Schultz's group shot the three-ball particularly well, led by Junior Theresa Wichser, who broke her own single-season record of three-pointers made with 60 a year ago. Wichser finished the '19-20 season averaging 7.9 PPG on 37.3% shooting from behind the arc.
 
Look for increased playing time and impact performances from returners Kate Christian, Katie Evans, Brooke Foster, and more. "Last year our first-year players had to adjust to the speed, strength, and a new system," said coach Schultz "They have come into their second year knowing what to expect and as a result are more confident on the court." Christian led freshmen a year ago in assists with 50, while scoring 6.2 PPG. Evans, a transfer student, came into a program shooting 38% from the field and averaging 6.4 PPG. Foster, the team's sixth-woman from last year tied for second on the team with 30 steals off the bench while averaging a three-point basket made per game.
 
The Pioneers finished their conference portion of the schedule with a 4-12 record, despite finishing top five in offensive points per game in the conference. Carroll averaged 7.3 three-pointers made per conference game, fourth overall in the league. The women also posted a positive 2.00 turnover margin, the third-highest in the conference.

The women will play their first contest at Van Male Field House on Monday, Jan. 25th at 5:30 again against the Titans once again. 

Stay up to date on Pioneers women's basketball this season by going online to www.gopios.com, or by following the Pioneers on Facebook (Carroll University Athletics), Twitter (@pio_athletics), and Instagram (@pio_athletics).