Basketball Game Recaps

Mavericks lose 11th straight as Akinwole scores game high 27 points

OMAHA, Neb. —The Omaha Mavericks Men’s Basketball team fell short against the Western Illinois Leathernecks Friday night by a final score of 85-77, losing their 11th straight game.

The Mavericks trailed in the game by as much as 14 points but continued to show resilience throughout, at one point cutting Western Illinois’ lead to five points in the second half.

“We’ve been fighting all year,” Maverick point guard Ayo Akinwole said. “We are trying to get over the hump when we do; if we can keep everybody together, I think we’ll be fine.”

Akinwole finished the game with 27 points shooting 9-of-11 from the field, 3-of-4 from the 3-point line, four assists and five rebounds.

“Just being in the right spot at the right time, honestly,” Akinwole said.

The Mavericks were able to push the ball in transition, outscoring Western Illinois 18-9 in fastbreak points.

“We got when we had opportunities we capitalized on some but not enough of them,” Maverick head coach Derrin Hansen said.

Rebounding gave the Leathernecks the edge throughout the game, out rebounding the Mavericks 46-29.

“The last four games, we rebounded right with the other team, but we did not do that tonight. I just felt they got some loose balls we could’ve got to we didn’t and give them credit they were the best on the glass,” Hansen said.

The Mavericks fall to 0-7 in Summit League play and a 2-15 record overall.

“I’m trying to put my finger on it, and I’m trying anything,” Hansen said. “It’s just a few things here and a few things there, but we haven’t been able to put it all together yet.”

The Mavericks return to the hardwood for their second game of a back-to-back against Western Illinois Saturday night from Baxter Arena. Tip off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Mavericks women’s basketball falls 62-50 to South Dakota State as Carrie Banks era begins at Baxter

OMAHA, Neb. —The Omaha Mavericks women’s basketball team opened its home schedule with a 62-50 loss against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits Friday afternoon.

 The Mavericks showcased their skills offensively and defensively in the first quarter, by scoring 19 points, shooting 85% from the field, including 3-of-3 from 3-point land, and holding the Jackrabbits to 6-of-15 shooting in the opening quarter and 3-of-21 on 3-pointers for the entire game.

“Our defense all year has been the best thing about this team,” first-year Mavericks head coach Carrie Banks said.

Both teams’ defenses continued to play strongly into the second quarter as the teams combined to score just 16 points. The Mavericks led the entire first half, taking 25-24 lead into the break.

Center Elena Pilakouta led the Mavericks in scoring with 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the field and snatching a season-high seven rebounds in the loss.  

“She’s doing a really good job, and when we throw the ball inside to her, good things happen,” Banks said.

Good things, however, didn’t happen for the Mavericks in the third quarter. Jackrabbits forwards Myah Selland, Paiton Burkhard and Tori Nelson combined for 16 points while the team outscored the Mavericks 24-16 in the third quarter Jackrabbits led 48-41 after three quarters.

The Jackrabbit defense limited the Mavericks to just 27.3% shooting in the fourth compared to South Dakota State’s 45.5%

Selland led the Jackrabbits in scoring with 20 points and recorded seven rebounds, five assists and three steals.

“She’s going to get her shots,” Banks said. “She’s a great player.”  

Mavericks drop to 2-10 on the season as Oral Roberts wins back to back against Mavs

OMAHA, Neb. —Oral Roberts capped a two-game sweep of the Mavericks, winning by a final of 86-75. Max Abmas led the Golden Eagles with 37 points in 39 minutes, shooting 13-of-20 from the floor and 7-of-11 from the 3-point line. Kevin Obanor followed up his 39 point shooting clinic Saturday night by scoring a double-double with 27 points and 12 rebounds. Oral Roberts shot 49% from the floor overall and made 12 3-pointers for the game.  

“You gotta tip your hats off to them; they hit shots,” forward Marlon Ruffin said. “We did just about everything we could do; they just found a way to get the ball in the rim.”

Ruffin led the Mavericks in scoring with 21 points shooting 9-of-18 from the field. Point Guard La’Mel Robinson pitched in both offensively and defensively, scoring 16 points and racking up seven rebounds and two steals.

“I was really happy with our start, and I was really happy with our attention to detail,” Mavericks head coach Derrin Hansen said.  

The Mavericks had five players score in double figures, but the combined 64 points between Abmas and Obanor, along with the Golden Eagles shooting 49% from the floor as a team, ultimately did in the Mavericks.

“Our effort was greater, our energy was fantastic, but we didn’t just quite have enough today,” Hansen said.

The Mavericks dropped to 2-10 on the season and now turn their attention to the North Dakota State Bison on Friday to turn their fortunes on the young season.

Forward Wanjang Tut spins past Kevin Obanor on his way to the basket
Jadin Booth drives toward the rim on Forward Francis Lacis during Sunday’s loss to Oral Roberts.

Mavericks Men’s Basketball fall to Oral Roberts in Summit League Opener

Mavericks Men’s Basketball fall to Oral Roberts in Summit League Opener

Omaha Point Guard La’Mel Robinson drives to the basket for a layup against Oral Roberts

OMAHA, Neb. —Mavericks Men’s Basketball opened Summit League action Saturday night with a loss against the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles 95-83. Forward Kevin Obanor led Oral Roberts with 39 points and shot 6-of-11 from 3-point land. Point guard Max Abmas accompanied Obanor in the scoring department, dropping 23 points of his own for the Golden Eagles. 

The Mavericks were led by junior Marlon Ruffin, scoring 24 points and shot 8-of-11 from the field and 3-of-4 on 3-pointers.

 Overall, the Mavericks as a team shot 56% to Oral Roberts 53% from the field for the entire game the Mavericks, however, never led during the game. 

“ They played well, they made shots, they made plays, and we didn’t do enough to make them do something different to beat us,” Mavericks head coach Derrin Hanson said.  

The Mavericks struggled to contain Oral Roberts from the 3-point line. The Golden Eagles hit 11 3-pointers in the first half and were held to just four in the second and in total were 15-of-34 (44%) from three for the game.  

“We did a much better job in the second half, but we have to be able to do that for two halves to be able to take away those threes,” Hanson said. 

The Mavericks had one of their highest offensive output this season despite struggling to put up points in their last few games. 

“We played great 83 points is easily enough points to win a basketball game, especially at home, and today we just did not get that done,” Hanson said. “I have to have us better prepared, and that’s our goal for tomorrow.”  

The Mavericks will be right back at Baxter Arena tomorrow to take on the Golden Eagles. Tip-off is scheduled at 4 p.m. to listen to the game on MavRadio.FM.