The University of Minnesota Duluth women’s basketball team hits the road this weekend when they travel to Pueblo, Colo. for the Chuck Stephens Memorial Classic at Colorado State University-Pueblo. The Bulldogs first face New Mexico Highlands University on Friday afternoon with a 3 p.m. (CST) tip-off. UMD then heads back on the court to take on the host Thunderwolves Saturday night at 7 p.m. (CST).

THE MATCH UP

The Bulldogs, (3-2), have never taken to the floor against the Cowgirls (0-3) in their 36-year history.

UMD has also never tipped-off with CSU-Pueblo (2-2).

LAST WEEK

The Bulldogs reversed their fortunes at the American Family Insurance Classic by sweeping the field last weekend. UMD held on in overtime to beat a pesky Bemidji State team, 73-72. The Bulldogs had three players dip into double figures, including Katy Freeman (20 points), Justine Axtell (13 points and 8 boards), and Katie Winkelman (11), who hit the game winning three-pointer with just 10 seconds remaining. The Bulldogs had a solid performance Saturday night, pulling away from Northern Michigan and staying away for a 62-45 final. Winkelman led all scorers with a game-high 21 points, while Axtell chipped in 10. Winkelman was named the AFIC's MVP for her efforts, while Axtell was named to the All-AFIC Team.

The Cowgirls are coming off a loss Tuesday at home in Las Vegas, NM to West Texas A&M 95-56. NMH was led by Delischa Utsey and Christine Uzoh who each had 13 points in the drop.

The Thunderhawks are coming off an identical weekend to the Bulldogs, going 2-0 in the Metro State Thanksgiving Tournament in Denver. CSU-Pueblo defeated Midwestern State (TX) 62-56 in OT Friday night behind four players scoring double-digits. Kerry Lewis led the way with 18, while Kaylon Miller had 16. It was more of the same for the Thunderhawks Saturday as Mary Rehnfel scored a game-high 31 points and grabbed nine boards to lead the way 66-54 over Oklahoma Panhandle State.

PRESEASON PICKS/RANKINGS

UMD was picked to finish 5th in the North Central Conference preseason coaches poll after finishing in a fifth place tie a year ago with a 16-12 overall record and 3-9 in confernce play.

CSU-Pueblo was picked to finish first in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference’s West Division in a preseason coach’s ballot. The ThunderWolves went 19-12 overall and won the RMAC Shootout.

New Mexico Highlands was picked to land sixth in the RMAC West Division after wrapping up with a 12-18 overall record a season ago.

THE COACHES

After 21 years as an assistant coach for the University of Minnesota Duluth and the University of Minnesota, David Stromme steps in his first starring role as the interim head coach. Stromme succeeds Sue Fiero, who stepped down in June after one season at the Bulldog helm. Stromme spent 17 years (1985-2002) as an assistant coach at UMD, working under his sister, Karen Stromme. While he was a member of the Bulldog staff, UMD rolled up a 370-159 overall record (for a .703 winning percentage), advanced to the NCAA II playoffs five times and the NAIA National Tournament on eight occasions, captured nine Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference titles, produced a pair of NAIA/NCAA II All-Americans and 20 All-NSIC first team selections.

New Mexico Highlands is guided by first year interim head coach Thomas Roberts. Roberts was an assistant last winter under John Ishee, who resigned before the season ended a year ago.

Kip Drown is entering his second year as head coach at CSU-Pueblo. Last season he led the Thunderhawks to a 19-10 record and its first-ever Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Shootout crown.



A WINK AND A SMILE

Katie Winkelman moved up the all-time scoring chart into the 23rd slot after just five games with 856 total career points. Winkelman started the season in the No. 30 position.

Winkelman's 18.2 PPG leads not only the Bulldogs in points but puts her second in the NCC overall. She trails only Preseason Player of the Year, Erika Quigley of St. Cloud who is avergaing 21.5 PPG.

KATIE ONE AND KATY TWO

Katie Winkelman and Katy Freeman are both avergaing double digits in the scoring column for UMD, with Winkelman leading the way, averaging 18.2 PPG and Freeman averaging 12.2 PPG.

FRESHMAN RISING

Jordanne Even's 6.8 PPG scoring average to start the year is the highest output from a first-year player since the 2002-03 season. That season featured a very special freshman by the name of Lindsey Dietz, who finished up the year with an outstanding 17.2 PPG average.

Even is also grabbing 4.4 boards a game, good enough to place her third among her fellow UMD teammates.



ON THE CLOCK

Three Bulldogs round out the top five in minutes played in the NCC. Alissa Pauly (35.40 and in first), Katy Freeman (32.60 and in third) and Katie Winkelman (32.00 and in fourth) have proven minute-worthy so far in the season.

ON THE AIR

Both UMD games this weekend will be covered play-by-play by Ray Schow on KDAL (610 AM) with Friday's pregame coverage starting at 2:45 p.m. and Saturday's pregame coverage starting at 6:45 p.m.